Donations needed for GET GISELLE A REPLACEMENT IPHONE initiative

Company
IGDA Melbourne

Giselle has decided to end her duties as the main organiser for IGDA Melbourne today. If you've been part of a volunteering effort for any kind of event, you'll understand how much is involved behind the scenes and the amount of work it takes for all the correspondences and follow ups required in getting sponsors onboard, the venue organised, promoting the event and getting the word out.

It's a whole lot of work, and a lot of it can go unthanked. With the numerous IGDA Melbourne gatherings, BBQs, afterparties, and meet ups since IGDA Melbourne was rebooted, you wouldn't be blamed for getting accustomed to all these great events even while a whole lot of work was involved to make each one run as smoothly as possible.

So I'd like to thank Giselle, on behalf of everyone who visits tsumea, for her incredible efforts in making the Melbourne game development community a whole lot more community-er.

One of the big events she organised was the IGDA Melbourne Christmas party held just over a week ago. Anyone who follows the IGDA Melbourne's twitter account knows that Giselle was organising this monumental occasion right up to the last moment to make sure everything was covered and that industry patrons and party goers were well looked after. Sponsors were organised to cover the food as well as the drinks, and Big Ant helped out with the location. The music was playing loud and I'm certain everyone there had a great time.

Of course, it takes one primitive screwhead to ruin things.

Giselle provided her work iPhone as the music player for the Christmas party, and it looks like someone there just took off with it. It's extremely disappointing when you consider how much Giselle has volunteered her time and effort for the good of the community for this to happen. In fact, it's downright appalling.

An unlocked iPhone 4, 32GB model goes for $999. I'm organising a fund to get her reimbursed for her lost iPhone, and I'm doing this without her knowledge. I've set up a paypal donation button below and I'm donating a hundred bucks, so we're 1/10th of the way there. I'm broke as hell, and I'm sure a lot of you are probably feeling the pinch from all the Christmas presents you've had to purchase as well as all those game sales that are currently happening, but I'd like this year to end with a happy ending for this case.

If you went to any of the numerous IGDA Melbourne gatherings, BBQs, afterparties, and meet ups, then you owe Giselle a small debt which you can fulfil by a donation. If you've never been, then you can still donate, knowing that you're helping turning a wrong back into a right. I don't usually ask this, but please consider what you can, and retweet this page on twitter or 'like' it on your facebook account to get the word out.

*** THANK YOU ***

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, your generosity has been incredible. Today (Jan, 19) We've passed the donations in its entirety to Giselle.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 21/12/10 - 11:50 PM Permalink

Yep, I chipped in. Worthy cause.

Submitted by souri on Wed, 22/12/10 - 2:10 PM Permalink

We've had a great response within the first 24 hours, and we're up to $250 which means we're a quarter of the way there. Excellent effort by all those who've helped out already!

We still have quite a bit left to go, so if you feel like helping out for a worthy cause, please do. Every little bit counts!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 24/12/10 - 7:55 AM Permalink

Giselle has done an amazing job with IGDA Melbourne. Without her it just won't be the same. I hope everyone recognises how often she's gone above & beyond the call of duty. I've put my little bit in and hopefully we'll get the total.

Submitted by souri on Fri, 24/12/10 - 1:44 PM Permalink

Awesome stuff! It's only been three and a half days, but we've had some very generous donations and at this point we're up to $410 which is nearing the halfway point!

Keep the contributions coming, people!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/01/11 - 12:33 AM Permalink

I went to that Christmas party, so I simply must contribute. She did a fantastic job over this whole year!

I am shocked that it was taken. With the stringent entry precautions, I wasn't expecting something like this to happen; not at a professional gathering!

I'm also surprised that you expect this to fly under the radar. If I can see this with a casual browse, then so can she :P

Submitted by souri on Wed, 05/01/11 - 1:11 AM Permalink

I could have explained a bit better, but I meant that the idea to get this fund happening was done without her prior knowledge. Of course, I knew she'd find out eventually, particularly since we have that banner everywhere on the site.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/01/11 - 1:59 PM Permalink

Hi and thanks for your appreciation and support for the work that goes into IGDA in Melbourne.

I'm quite taken aback by the support that's been shown to me, and didn't intend to turn the phone incident into such a big deal.

I'm stuck as to what to say (which if you know me is a bit odd) except thanks for showing your appreciation. I don't intend to be an IGDA stranger - but hope that some new blood in the steering committee will keep it running well.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 11.1.11 at 3 Degrees and will be a mix of social catch up and game jam prep.

Kind regards and Happy New Year,

Giselle

Submitted by Giselle Rosman (not verified) on Thu, 13/01/11 - 10:14 PM Permalink

Hey again,

Thanks once more to all of you who have donated to the kind initiative Souri set up in the wake of my missing phone. Given the circumstances of all involved, I’d like to blush and say thanks, but let’s give it all to the #QldFloods appeals that needs it so much more. Souri, could you please arrange that and post the deposit slip on the thread?

I admit you’ve convinced me not to abandon IGDA entirely but continue helping out with a larger and more involved steering committee. I hope it doesn't all seem like a hissy fit - it's more of a *need time to sleep too* issue. Craig, with the help of Tom, Paul, Tarwin and a whole lot of ofther people are going great guns with IGDAM@La Trobe Global Game Jam which is looking to be sensational!

Big thanks to Firemint and THQ for supporting the event....See, here I am, back on the bandwagon - hope to see you there too, if not around the traps.

Cheers, and special thoughts to the Northern neighbours,

Giselle

Submitted by souri on Wed, 19/01/11 - 2:52 PM Permalink

I've sent a personal message to every single person who's donated, but I'd like to say thanks again for your generous contributions.

I've passed on the donations in its entirety to Giselle, and while we didn't reach our goal, we did reach half way in a really short amount of time before the Christmas and New Years break slowed things somewhat, and, unfortunately, the Queensland floods came shortly after.