Volunteer's route to Philippines begins on catwalk

Jason Tozer

If you've got a passion for fashion don't miss the PRO-Q event

17 October 2006: University of Canberra postgraduate student Upeksha Edirisuriya will help the people of the Philippines and Australian Volunteers International (AVI) through fashion.

Ms Edirisuriya, who graduated from a banking and finance degree last year and is currently doing a diploma of accounting, will spend 10 weeks over the new-year break in an AVI project helping Filipino children in the province of Quezon.

To raise the $3500 to fund the project she is holding a fashion parade titled Project Quezon, or PRO-Q, at Meche nightclub, displaying the latest fashions and giving away plenty of prizes including the chance to win a date with one of the models.

With only a short amount of time to do her fundraising Ms Edirisuriya said she has had a lot of help to make the event happen.

“Without the support of my friends and family I would have been able to make PRO-Q occur,” she said.

“I have people helping distribute flyers to spread the word and assistance with the choreography for the stage show.”

However, it’s not just her family and friends that are pitching in to make the event a reality.

“My two major sponsors are Acumen Alliance who generously donated a cash contribution and Club Lime who are providing products to give away throughout the night,” Ms Edirisuriya said.

“But PRO-Q could not have happened without the support of Meche offering their premises and the wonderful models and DJs donating their time.”

PRO-Q is being held at Meche nightclub, 50 Northborne Avenue, Canberra City on Thursday, October 26. Doors open at 9pm and entry is $5.