MEDIA RELEASE                                                                 29 April 2013

Local Freemasons host Dining in the Dark dinner

Have you ever wondered how challenging life would be if you were blind?

Ipswich residents will have the chance to find out at a ‘Dining in the Dark’ dinner organised by local Freemasons to raise money for Guide Dogs Queensland.

Guests will be blindfolded during the two-course dinner at the Jets Rugby League Club on Saturday, May 18 to give diners a taste of what it’s like to be vision impaired.

Local Freemason from the United Tradesmen’s Lodge, Ian Brown, said the aim of the event was to raise much-needed funds and increase awareness about the important work of Guide Dogs Queensland.

“While helping out a good cause, guests will also have lots of fun at this very unique dining experience,” he said. “On arrival people will be provided with blindfolds and escorted to their seats.

“Everyone will then eat their meal in complete darkness, which I imagine will be quite a challenging experience.”

Ipswich Freemason Stephen Palmer said the idea for the Dining in the Dark dinner was suggested by his father during a recent visit from the U.K.

“My father recently held a similar event in the U.K to raise money for the Guide Dogs organisation  over there, so we thought why not give it a go here in Ipswich,” he said.

“As my stepmother is blind we understand how significant and life changing the Guide Dogs service is.”

Guide Dogs Queensland CEO, Chris Laine, said the Dining in the Dark concept was new to Queensland and a great way to raise awareness about what people with low or no vision experience in their everyday lives.

“It was a fantastic idea for the Freemasons to hold this fundraiser and I’d like to encourage Ipswich people to lend their support by attending this event,” she said.

“We provide our Guide Dog services for free and only receive seven per cent government funding for some of the rehabilitation services we provide, so we rely heavily on the generosity of the community to fund our vital work for Queenslanders.

“I’d like to thank the Freemasons for their ongoing support of Guide Dogs Queensland and I hope this Dining in the Dark experience may be adopted by other lodges around the state to help us raise funding and awareness in the community.”

Money will be raised through dinner ticket sales, as well as raffles and auctions on the night. There will be some great prizes up for grabs including two helicopter flights, a gym membership and gift vouchers for local restaurants.

Media are welcome to attend the Dining in the Dark event. Details are as follows:

TIME:                6.30pm for a 7pm start
DATE:               Saturday, May 18, 2013
LOCATION:     Jets Rugby League Club, 15 Downs Street, Ipswich North
TICKETS:         $25 per head. To book phone Ian Brown on 0431 034 852 or Stephen Palmer on                            0414 078 909
PHOTO OPP:   Blindfolded guests attending the Dining in the Dark dinner   
INTERVIEWS: Local Freemasons Ian Brown and Stephen Palmer will be available for interview.

A Guide Dogs Queensland spokesperson will also be at the dinner.
Freemasonry was founded on the principle of universal charity and has a proud history of assisting those in need. In 2011 the Grand Master’s flood and cyclone appeal raised $1 million for 34 community groups across the state.

For media inquiries contact:

Michelle Cull

Big Splash Communications

P: 07 3395 0772         M: 0488 209 071        E: michelle@bigsplash.net.au