McCormick supports Blind Week 2000 in Dunedin tomorrow night
The Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind has gained celebrity support from Gary McCormick for Blind Week 2000 (24
- 30 October).
Organised in association with the Otago Festival of the Arts, Mr McCormick has nominated the Foundation as his preferred
charity for the AK Grant Memorial Speech Contest in Dunedin tomorrow night (Friday 13 October).
"We're looking forward to a great evening of entertainment," says Pene Morris, Event Manager for Otago and Southland.
"Gary has a wonderful panel of well-known speakers lined up - Gary himself, Tom Scott (cartoonist), Michele A'Court
(comedian), Ginette McDonald (actress), Mike King (comedian), Raybon Kan (comedian), Jim Hopkins (writer), Jon Gadsby
(actor and writer) with former Prime Minister David Lange as the adjudicator.
"We've been told," says Ms Morris "that each speaker has to deliver a 10 to 12 minute humorous speech on a topic of his
or her choice, followed by an impromptu speech - the topic of which is drawn from a hat."
Speakers will have to fight to be heard above a potential barrage of interjections and witticisms from audience and
colleagues alike. The AK Grant Memorial Speech Contest trophy will be awarded to the best speaker who will be judged by
public acclaim and the adjudicator's decision.
"The Foundation is very pleased that Mr McCormick has chosen to support Blind Week appeal," says Ms Morris.
"Blind Week is the most important fundraising campaign of the year for us - we aim to raise over $1 million nationwide -
so we need as much help as we can get."
Mr McCormick chose to stage the speech contest in Dunedin because it is traditionally a city that appreciates oratory
and a sense of humour.
Blind musician, Mark Wilson will be performing over the course of the evening. Ms Morris is expecting the event to
attract a sizeable crowd of local Dunedin students, residents and visitors.
Venue and ticket prices
13 October Gary McCormick AK Grant Memorial Speech Contest (RNZFB recipient charity) Regent Theatre, Dunedin $34 & $31.
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