Thousands take part in national Nude Lunch event
‘It’s an honour to remember Trudy and where this all started and why this started’
Mackay
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THOUSANDS gathered across Australia for the event started by Mackay's Trudy Crowley because she wanted to raise awareness and money towards ovarian cancer.
Today the annual fundraiser went national as the Nude Lunch hosted a virtual event.
And it was with mixed emotions director Jody Euler took a moment to speak about the incredible result she, fellow director Patrice Bettini and the Nude Lunch committee achieved.
"It's a bit surreal," Ms Euler said.
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"We're very proud and very excited to think that we can take this across the nation this year."
Because of COVID-19 restrictions the decision was made to host a free Facebook live event across Australia, allowing hosts to organise their own lunch.
"We have estimated about 5000 people are probably tuning in today," Ms Euler said, adding that 100 parties had registered across Australia including in Perth, Sydney, Gold Coast, Townsville and of course, here in Mackay.
"It's an honour to remember Trudy and where this all started and why this started."
Sadly, Trudy lost her battle to ovarian cancer in 2018.
"And to think that a conversation she had with me in her hospital bed has just grown and grown and grown every year," Ms Euler said.
"It's bittersweet and we miss her dearly and on days like today we notice her absence, but it's really nice to know that she's here because of what we're doing."
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Since the inaugural event in 2016 the Nude Lunch has raised more than $300,000, not counting this year.
"Ironically I joked last year in a video that we did at the lunch to 800 guests about taking this nationally one day and little did I now that this year we'd be doing just that," Ms Euler said.
"I guess the blessing out of COVID is that we've reshuffled and changed our thinking.
"It was never ever an option not to do something, it was just about how we're going to do it."
Sunrise reporter Bianca Stone MC'd the Nude Lunch from a makeshift base camp in the Mackay CBD, which was decked out in the event's signature teal.
The committee wore special shirts also featuring teal and designed by Evocativ, whose concept was to have artist's work on fabric and turned into men's shirts.
Ms Euler said the Nude Lunch committee collaborate with the Evocativ team and send a message to artists across the globe for artwork that represented "hope".
She said the only prerequisite was to use the colours red and teal.
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