By Charlene Macaulay
The numbers are coming up for a bingo night that was struggling.
Werribee Rotary Club, which took over the management of Monday bingo nights at the Italian Sports Club in October, is giving 100 per cent of the money raised to other charitable organisations in the community.
Brian Ahmed, from Werribee Rotary, said the bingo sessions had not been making money and were in danger of closing down.
He said the club met with bingo co-ordinator Michael Nazzari, caller Ian Rawlings and a number of players to find out what could be done to return the game to its former glory.
“We were told, ‘No machines, funds raised to go to local charities and the occasional gifts [to players] to say thank you for their support’,” he said.
Since then, the nights have grown in popularity and now turn a profit, allowing Werribee Rotary to donate $1000 apiece recently to the Salvation Army, Beyond Blue and Uniting Care.
Mr Ahmed said it was a great way for locals to have a bit of a punt while helping the community.
“It’s not a money-making exercise – we do it all for the community,” he said.
Mr Ahmed said Werribee Rotary would be distributing money to different organisations every month and had asked bingo patrons to nominate worthy organisations.
