Thousands of eager competitors were hoping their numbers came up at a mass bingo event in support of Telethon kids.
More than 5000 players were at the Perth Convention Centre on Saturday for day one of Telethon Mega Bingo — hoping to win a piece of the more than $270,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, including the big $37,500 prize on both days.
The 2024 Telethon Mega Bingo is being held on both Saturday and Sunday, after the 5000 tickets on offer last year sold out in less than 10 minutes.
On Saturday, long periods of tense silence were suddenly broken by the eruption of cheers when a player was able to declare “bingo”.
Among the enthralled crowd were sisters Marilyn Smith and Leanne Russell.
Ms Russell — who travelled all the way from Victoria for the bingo — has been committed to supporting Telethon since she lost her two-day-old granddaughter Bianca nearly 26 years ago in Princess Margaret Hospital.
“So when Mega Bingo first began I started coming over from Melbourne,” she said. “My sister and I would come and play in memory of her and the help and care she was given.”
Six years ago, Ms Russell won $30,000, which she shared with her sister.
“I was jumping up and down screaming and swearing — they had to beep it out on the news,” she said.
As a past winner, Ms Russell’s only tip was “just have fun and if you’re gonna win, you’re gonna win”.
Tania Parkes is part of a group of about a dozen who have travelled from Kalgoorlie for the two adrenaline-filled days of playing.
“We play every Thursday night in Kalgoorlie and so we decided we would all come to Perth and support Telethon,” Ms Parkes said.
“Telethon does so much for sick kids and it’s a great way to have fun and catch up.”
Amy Henshall was in her best pink get-up for bingo and on Saturday had twice been frustratingly close to a win.
She has been playing bingo since she was 12 and was especially keen to compete while helping sick kids.
“Being a country kid, I’ve been flown to Perth to get my tonsils out and Telethon was a part of that — entertaining me with the clowns,” Ms Henshall said. “That was the only good part of getting my tonsils out, actually.”
A lucky winner also drove away with a GWM Haval Jolion Luxury, with another to be won Sunday — each valued at nearly $30k.