The Celebrity Comedy Debate

Crowd claims Baby Boomers to be a National Treasure at the 2010 Mai-Wel Group Celebrity Comedy Debate 

With more than 75% of the audience claiming to be baby boomers – they certainly proved to be more “treasures” than “nuisance” on Saturday 17th July, at The Mai-Wel Group Comedy Debate, raising more than $20,000 for the very worthwhile cause. 

Effie Stephanides and fellow ‘Gen X-ers’ Aaron Kearney and Melinda Smith took no prisoners in the generational war at Maitland Town Hall on Saturday evening in front of a full house.  The team successfully argued that ‘Baby Boomers ARE indeed a National Treasure’ – who would have thought!

This year’s event welcomed the support of a list of well known national celebrities including the 7.30pm Report’s Bryan Dawe, and self-proclaimed ‘Wog Girl’ Effie Stephanides, with TV personality and famous ‘Daddo’ brother, Andrew Daddo as Master of Ceremonies, who along with Debate Adjudicator, Brian Burke, keeping the debaters in their arm chairs and on the right track.

Maitland based business woman and physiotherapist, Judy Mitchell, and former television and radio sports broadcaster, Leigh Maughan, battled gallantly alongside team captain, Bryan Dawe, but they were no match for Effie Stephanides and her vocal trio, Aaron Kearney from 1233 ABC Radio’s Breakfast program, and former news presenter Melinda Smith, who took things up a notch vocally, and quite often below the belt, in their fight to take home the golden microphone via a unanimous crowd decision.

The 2010 Debate proved a winning formula in its sixth year of the event attracting a sell-out crowd, setting the record as the most successful year to date. As The Mai-Wel Group celebrates 50 years of providing much needed services and support to the Lower Hunter region, the Debate marks the start of a list of events on Mai-Wel’s calendar set to celebrate this remarkable anniversary.

“Each year we wait with much anticipation as the Debate arrives in Maitland for a night of comedic laughter and joyous entertainment, and Saturday night’s Debate was the jewel in the crown of events on the 50th anniversary calendar”, says The Mai-Wel Group CEO Pennie Kearney

“Once again the community has come on board to support this truly enjoyable fundraising event, allowing us to continue to provide ongoing support, quality care and excellent services.”

“I sincerely thank each and every worker and volunteer, contributor, supporter and sponsor for their generosity in making the 2010 Debate the most successful to date”.

MC Andrew Daddo, Melinda Smith, Effie, Bryan Dawe, Judy Mitchell, Adjudicator Brian Burke, Aaron Kearney & Leigh Maughan.	The winning team, debating that Baby Boomers are a National Treasure: Melinda Smith, Aaron Kearney & Effie.	Mary Maughan & Pennie Kearney.
Debaters Leigh Maughan and Bryan Dawe.	Debaters Leigh Maughan, Effie and Judy Mitchell.	Guests assembled in the foyer.

Master of Ceremonies, Andrew Daddo.	Effie