There can be few times that we get to use 'palindromic' in a headline but the combination of a quirky set of numerals that just happen to be coupled with the 'wow factor' of being surprising large made it possible.
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On Sunday, February 28 Bega Valley Can Assist, the voluntary organisation which helps people in the local community who have cancer, held its major annual fundraiser.
Financial help includes assistance to pay household bills, fuel costs with travel during treatment and food gift cards and so the organisation, which provides solely for those in the Bega Valley, is always keen to ensure it has as much money available as possible, to help those in need.
The annual fundraiser was a lunch at Oaklands Event Centre where over 170 attendees enjoyed a two-course lunch and then participated in spirited bidding on over 50 items, many worth hundreds of dollars, donated by businesses and individuals from the Bega Valley area.
To say it was a success was an understatement.
Much to the amazement and delight of the organisation $18,181 was raised - hence the palindromic (a number that reads the same when the digits are reversed) headline.
Member of the Bega Branch of Can Assist, Bev Koellner was delighted with the final count.
"We were astounded at the result. The most we had ever made before was $10,000. We got $9000 from the auctioned items and received some donations," Ms Koellner said.
"The highlight was the $200 carrot cake made by Dot Holmes," she added.
"Everything goes to the community, there are no admin fees. Travel and accommodation is a big thing, it's very expensive when you have to travel for treatment," Ms Koellner said.
As well as lunch, a raffle and the auction there was a talk by guest speaker Alex Nicol, who donated a signed copy of his book 'Old Days, Old Ways'.
When it came to the auction, auctioneer Stuart Smith, and announcer John Watkins, kept the proceedings rolling along. Over lunch Steve Martin provided the background music.
Ms Koellner thanked the many people involved in the event and the public for buying the raffle tickets and attending the lunch but reserved special thanks for Dot Holmes for her "marvellous organisation and attention to detail that made sure everything ran so smoothly".
Raffle results:
First prize Jess Wyers, second prize Bob Tetley, third prize Kevin Martin.
