Art, nibbles and drinks evening to raise funds for much-loved camp

An evening of art, drinks and hors d’oeuvres has appeal at any time – but none more so than when it’s being held to raise much-needed funds for an event with truly iconic standing amongst the Queenstown community.

For 48 years, Queenstown’s Wakatipu High School has been sending its Year 10 students into the rugged outdoors on a 12-day camp that’s become a rite of passage for students and legendary in its own lifetime.

There’s many a die-hard Queenstown local who, even decades later, can still remember every detail of their time at Branches, a high country station at the head of famous Skippers Canyon.

For the second year in a row, the Branches Charity Trust is asking members of the Queenstown and WHS community and art lovers everywhere to support its Art and Hors D’oeuvres evening with Art Auction at the Memorial Hall on Friday July 31, aiming to raise around $20,000 towards the cost of running the camp.

Tickets for what’s being described as a very social evening with stunning art works from a range of local artists for auction on the night are just $20 a head and includes drinks on arrival and complimentary nibbles.

“Last year’s fundraiser was a huge success and we’d really love a similar level of support, if not even better, for this year’s event,” said Trust spokesperson Vinny McCorkindale.

“The camp is a huge undertaking and we’re trying to raise as much as we can because the cost to parents hasn’t risen for the past five years but compliance and other costs have certainly gone up. Our aim is to keep it affordable for every parent of every student.

“The night will feature 10 to 12 stunning pieces of art up for auction that will be sought-after by art lovers everywhere, but we’ll also have a number of silent auction items with something for everyone from around $100 or so. Even by buying a ticket and coming along on the night people will be contributing to the camp, as local suppliers have supported us hugely by providing wine and platters of food for the event. Every little counts.”

Ms McCorkindale said details of artworks, pottery, and prints to be auctioned on the night were yet to be revealed, but promised it would be a night to remember.

“Costs of this camp have gone through the roof so it’s hugely important that we ease the financial burden to parents as we want every child to have the opportunity to attend Branches. The ultimate aim is for the Trust to become self-perpetuating so our legendary camp organiser Ken McIntyre can just carry on doing what he does so well without having to worry about the nitty-gritty of fundraising.

“We’d really love as many members of the community as possible to support our young people as they learn more about themselves and their peers on this tent-based camp where they cook everything on open fires, and spend their days on a variety of activities including kayaking, adventure rafting, rock climbing, abseiling and tramping. They even take part in a search and rescue operation to teach them everything they need to know about the stunning but forbidding environment in which they’re growing up.”

The event will run from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday July 31 at the Queenstown Memorial Centre. Tickets are available from Frontrunner Queenstown, Wakatipu High School office and the Arts Centre on Stanley Street.