Stars Align for a Night of Dazzling Generosity at the VABT “Very Appealing Showbiz Trivia” Fundraiser
Southbank, VIC — The air was positively electric at NEP Studios on Saturday, 24 May, as over 200 guests converged for the Victorian Actors’ Benevolent Trust’s “Very Appealing Showbiz Trivia” Fundraiser—a night that shimmered with celebrity, camaraderie, and the kind of spirited generosity that could light up a Broadway marquee.
A Constellation of Stars and Support
From the moment the doors swung open at 7:00 pm, the venue was abuzz with the mingling of Australia’s brightest entertainment luminaries and their devoted supporters. The guest list read like a who’s who of stage and screen: Kate Atkinson, Michala Banas, Will Conyers, Lucinda Cowden, Marty Fields, Stephen Hall, Frank J Holden, David Hobson, Ben Jackson, Rob Mills, Julia Morris, Charlotte Nicdao, Denise Scott, Kat Stewart, Allan Raskall, Toby Truslove, Georgie Tunny, Sally-Anne Upton, and the inimitable Steve Vizard, to name but a few.
Commanding the evening with wit and verve was host Michael Pope, whose comedic flair kept the trivia rounds rolling and the laughter ringing from curtain up to the final bow.
A Night of High Drama and Higher Stakes
The trivia itself was a rollicking affair, with teams of ten vying for glory and bragging rights, all while raising vital funds for the VABT—a lifeline for performers, creatives, and crew members facing hardship. The stakes soared higher still during the charity auction, where egos and wallets collided in a fevered bidding war between celebrity photographer Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images and the ever-dapper business mogul, Steve Vizard.
In a scene worthy of the silver screen, Lord Murray, renowned for his tireless coverage of Melbourne’s most glittering events, clinched victory—not just once, but repeatedly. His pièce de résistance: buying a complete book of 100 raffle tickets that ultimately secured him the night’s major prize—a personally signed Ashton 6-string guitar from The Seekers’ legendary front man, Keith Potger.
Sharing the Spotlight—and the Spoils
Yet, true to the spirit of the evening, Lord Murray’s triumphs were matched only by his magnanimity. With a flourish, he donated several of his additional prizes back into the pool, calling out across the room, “please redraw that one, Michael Pope!”—a gesture that sent a ripple of goodwill through the assembled crowd and embodied the very ethos of the VABT: artists supporting artists, with open hearts and open hands. A further testament to this ethos was the local photographer, Cameron Grant representing his business, Parenthesy who kindly and generously donated his time and skills to photograph the entire evening for the VABT; pro-bono.
A Cause Worthy of Applause
Behind the glitz and the games, the purpose of the evening rang clear: to raise essential funds for the Victorian Actors’ Benevolent Trust, which since 1958 has stood as a steadfast pillar for those in the performing arts weathering personal and professional storms. As VABT President Michael Fry aptly put it, the night was a celebration not just of showbiz, but of community—of giving back to those who make our stages and screens shine so brightly.
Speaking exclusively to The Toorak Times, Lord Murray said “Thank you to @vabtcharity for being the conduit between ourselves and our dear friends and colleagues in need. It is only through your organisation that we can actually reach these wonderful people and help them in their later years. A special thankyou to Michael Wilkie from MAD PR and Allan Raskall for the invitation to attend tonight.”
As the clock struck eleven and the final curtain fell, guests departed with spirits high, hearts full, and the knowledge that their revelry had helped ensure the show will go on for countless artists in need.
For more information or to support the VABT, visit their official website – VICTORIAN ACTORS’ BENEVOLENT TRUST – Helping those in need since 1958
