Last year’s R U OK? Day trivia night at Moama RSL.
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Supplied
As R U OK? Day approaches, Echuca-Moama local Finlay Duffy is once again preparing to host her annual ‘Doing it for Dev’ trivia night fundraiser.
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The event is named after Ms Duffy’s late brother, Devlin, who died by suicide in 2016 at the age of 21.
For the past 10 years, Ms Duffy has been fundraising for R U OK? in honour of her brother, raising more than $37,000 for the charity.
“Dev was a genius,” Ms Duffy said.
“He was really well-loved, and definitely one of my best friends.”
Dev’s love of trivia inspired her to organise the first ‘Doing it for Dev’ night as a way for the community to come together and enjoy a night of fun while creating a space to have difficult conversations and destigmatise mental health and suicide.
“I want to keep his memory alive in the best way I can,” Ms Duffy said.
“It’s roughly seven years [of Doing it for Dev], I’ve sort of lost count... it’s been very overwhelming.
‘’It started off as just as a small bunch of family and friends, people that knew him, and it’s grown, and it just keeps growing.”
It’s become so popular that Ms Duffy had to move the event to Moama RSL to keep up with the demand for tables.
Last year’s edition featured a silent raffle, made possible by businesses donating prizes.
“All the businesses, local and non-local, go above and beyond,” Ms Duffy said.
Finlay Duffy organised ‘Doing it for Dev’ to honour her late brother, raise funds for suicide awareness, and destigmatise conversations about mental health.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
This year’s event will hold added weight for Dev’s friends and family, taking place 10 years after his death.
“I’m trying not to think about it too much, but I think it’s inevitable really,” Ms Duffy said.
“I do a speech at the start, and I do get a bit emotional.
It’s going to be tough, but I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it.”
Ms Duffy is encouraging everyone to come along, regardless of their skill level.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about winning trivia,” she said.
“It's about going out and having a night out with friends and having those important conversations that we sort of put on the back burner.
‘’It's a great night out for a great cause.“
The event will take place on August 4, at Moama RSL from 6.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased by emailing finlayduffy07@gmail.com
Those who wish to donate can do so at https://tinylink.net/9xBwN
If you or anyone you know requires crisis support, contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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