Whale Trivia

Whale Trivia Whale Trivia is a fun quiz night hosted by me, 'Simmo' Whale, at the North Strathfield Hotel each Tuesday! It usually runs for 1 and a half to 2 hours.

I am also available for private, corporate or charity shows as well as public speaking and presentation training, perfect for students. Whale Trivia began in 2004 as a one off show on Melbourne Cup day at the Bald Rock Hotel which then became a monthly show. Soon, locals demanded a weekly show and since 2005 Whale Trivia has been a regular event each week virtually all year round. These days, I do

two shows a week:
- Tuesdays at Cookies Lounge Bar, North Strathfield - 7pm (app.) Since 2011
- Thursdays at the Bald Rock Hotel, Rozelle - 7:30pm (app.) Since 2004

About the show:
The show consists of two halves of 20 questions with a weekly jackpot questionnaire at the end. There are regular voucher prizes for the teams that come 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 2nd last (that's right, 2nd last, you've got to at least try!) Plus there is my patented (not actually patented) "Special Bonus Floating Prize" that could go to any of the other ranked teams on the night. Plus there are other chocolate and voucher giveaways during the night! About the host:
Simon 'Simmo' Whale has spent almost his entire working life in some form of customer service. In 2002 he began hosting the weekly trivia show for FAME Trivia at the Commercial Hotel in East Balmain (now The East Village Hotel). But, due to his popularity and professionalism, that one night soon became 2, then 3 and once Whale Trivia began, 4 nights a week. Some other venues he hosted for a length of time are; the North Annandale Hotel (for FAME Trivia), the Mortdale Hotel (for FAME Trivia), Bar Cleveland, Surrey Hills ('09-'10), The Pine Inn, Burwood ('17-'21) and The Dry Dock Hotel ('08-'21), Balmain. His association with FAME Trivia came to an end in 2008 and since then he has worked almost purely as Whale Trivia.

24/06/2026

"One man on a lonely platform
One case sitting by his side
Two eyes staring cold and silent
Shows fear as he turns to hide
(Oooi)
We (didn't get to Whale Trivia)
(Oooi)
We (didn't get to Whale Trivia)"
{ - Fade To Grey by Visage - 1980 - By far the most successful song internationally for the band Visage who had mediocre success in their home territory of the UK for several years in the early 80's. Originally meant to be an instrumental, keyboardist Midge Ure, who was also forming Ultravox at the time, heard the tune in rehearsal, suggested a melody and wrote the lyrics. It was released alongside their debut album and reached top 10 in Australia and the UK along with numerous other European countries.}

Not a quiet night, not a raucous night (apart from one returning miscreant), just another good night at the North Strathfield Hotel.

They didn't just titillate the crowd with their team name, "Pauline Hanson Blames Immigration For The Burst Water Main On George St" 😡🤡👉🏻🛳️🚢⛴️🤬👉🏻🕳️ also paid attention this week and got one more right than everyone else to claim victory!
Just missing out on a glorious return, "The Armadildo's" 🛡️🍆🍆, (no, I wouldn't be surprised if you had a double take on their team name) did put in a great effort but ultimately finished second.
WIth many team members back, "Hail Hydrant Tabasco" 🙋🏻🧯🌶🌶 were also back on the podium finishing in third.
It has been a while, but "Pegasus" 🧚🐴🧚 were once again very happy to back in their old stomping ground scoring the Special Bonus Floating Prize.

The Jackpot considered going off, and it almost did, but 6 out of 7 was not good enough. Sorry. So, next week we climb again to $200 in vouchers! 💰💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! ☕🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

16/06/2026

"I remember when (trivia) was young
Me and Susie had so much fun
(Raising) hands and (yelling 'Oi')
Had (some) old (friends playing) and a (team) of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was (playing) a (night) called (Whale Trivia)
While the other kids were (quizzing kind of slow)
We were hopping and bopping to (Simmo's great show)"
{ - Crocodile Rock by Elton John - 1972 - The concept of the song was inspired from a trip to Australia and the popularity of the song 'Eagle Rock' by Daddy Cool. Wanting that '50's nostalgia feel the result was Crocodile Rock and hit around the world. Bernie Taupin stated the lyrics were fun to write but it was not a song he listens to.}

A great bunch of people hit the North Strathfield Hotel last night for a great night, with great service, and great... other stuff too!

Another week with a full team, and some supporting that proved fruitful, saw "Knicks in Five Mojito" ⛹🏻🏀🖐🏻🍸 score back to back wins!
Their victory ahead of the first State of Origin game saw NSW score an amazing win, but will "F**k Turkey, F**k The USA, And F**k Queensland!" 🖕🏻🇹🇷🖕🏻 🇺🇸🖕🏻🐸 finishing in second place be an omen for game 2???
Back in the house again, after having their return delayed, "Pink Lemonade" 🌸🍹🌷 completed the podium and will hopefully sort out their troubles... maybe with the intervention of a United Nations peacekeeping force! 😜
A late score of prizes for "All Spice" 🍝🍜🌶🌶🌶, saw them pick up the final $10 voucher and the Special Bonus Floating Prize!

The Jackpot got trivial and no-one picked the lot. So, next week, it begins it's climb and hits $150 in vouchers. 💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🍾🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

10/06/2026

"(Oi Oi Whale Trivia), bam-ba-lam
(Oi Oi Whale Trivia), bam-ba-lam
(Whale Trivia) had a (quiz), bam-ba-lam
(Whale Trivia) had a (quiz), bam-ba-lam
(Simmo's) gone crazy, bam-ba-lam
(Simmo's) gone crazy, bam-ba-lam
(Oi Oi Whale Trivia), bam-ba-lam
(Oi Oi Whale Trivia), bam-ba-lam"
{ - Black Betty by Lead Belly - 1939 - A traditional African-American worksong of the early 20th Century, 'Black Betty' has become a rock music staple thanks to Ram Jam's 1977 version and again by Spiderbait's 2004 release. It is often incorrectly credited, as I did last night, that Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter created the song but the earliest known recordings actually came from James "Iron Head" Baker and Moses "Clear Rock" Platt, with other inmates, who were recorded in 1933 when singing while working on a State Prison farm in Texas by 2 musicologists. All the early versions were sung a capella. The first one used hammer/pick blows for the rhythm while Lead Belly used hand claps. Lead Belly's version was the first commercial recording of the song and was part of an album titled 'Negro Sinful Songs sung by Lead Belly'.}

A lovely crowd full a familiar faces, some back for a visit from interstate, others coming from less distant locales. It made for a very pleasant atmosphere at the North Strathfield Hotel last night which, otherwise, would have been very quiet!

A very close first half saw the pack bunched up with two teams tied for the lead, however only one of them would finish on the podium in a closely fought contest.
After weeks of travel, work commitments, illness, etc, we had "A Full Mojito" 🙌🏼🍸 in the house last night and they managed to capitalise on their early lead to stay in front and win by a point.
Finishing strong, but falling slightly short "The TIgers May Have Conceded 68 Points... But I Scored A 69 On The Weekend!" 🐅😭🧔🏻😍 were not overly disappointed by finishing second.
A couple of points back, and maybe thanks to their extra team members, "Pegasus" 🧚🐴🧚 grabbed the final podium position.
Meanwhile, the second half proved a little difficult for the "Martian Arts" 👽🖼🥋 after having the equal lead at the break but it was a tight field and they, luckily, ended up with the Special Bonus Floating Prize.

The Jackpot 💸 was at 💸 $150 💸 in vouchers and was won 💸! That was why "The TIgers May Have Conceded 68 Points... But I Scored A 69 On The Weekend!" 🐅😭🧔🏻😍 were not too disappointed in finishing in second place... or maybe they just loved me reading out their team name again. Next week we see the Jackpot restart at $100 in vouchers. 💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🥂🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

03/06/2026

"Are you gonna take me (there) tonight
Oh, down (to the North Strathfield)?
Are you gonna let (your 'Oi' come) out?
(Whale Trivia) make('s) the (quizzy) world go 'round"
{ - Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen - 1978 - One of the most iconic anthems from a band regarded by many as, for want of a better word, the 'King' of anthems. 'Fat Bottomed Girls' stands out for obvious reasons; it's blatant subject matter, it's unaccompanied opening chorus harmony that is easy to sing along to, and the fact it was released as a double single with 'Bicycle Race'. The video for which was of 65 naked women riding bikes, most of whom fit the 'Fat Bottomed Girls' description. While the double 'A' side single had reasonable chart success, finishing just outside the top 20 in most big markets, it has endured as one of Queen's best known songs.}

We had some much better numbers this week with some regulars back, a couple of unexpected additions and a really good atmosphere at the North Strathfield Hotel! 😀

A team had a one point lead to a pair that had a small break on the field at halfway, but the second half proved decisive.
Being a point behind ended up as no obstacle to "No Will Tabasco" ❌🙋🏼‍♂️🌶🌶 as they rocketed home with an almost perfect second half to win by 3 points.
Back for their monthly visit and to celebrate a birthday, "On the Buses" 🚏🚌🚌 had a marvelous night and came in second.
It was a solid effort from "Golden Knickerbocker Mojito" 🟨🩳🍸 who came from the chasing pack to force the early leaders into fourth, as they finished in third.
The battle for the Special Bonus Floating Prize was a tight one. I believe it was the fact that "We Found Molly!" 👀👉🏼👱🏼‍♀️😁 was the deciding factor as they were the ones who won it.

The Jackpot nearly went off again, but, as it didn't, it starts to climb again and hits $150 in vouchers next week. 💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🥛🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

27/05/2026

"Four (in) the (team), I was sure, that (we) would (win tonight)
We'd (oi) a little (more), (win) a little (choc)
Four (in) the (team), I was sure, never seeing clear
(We) could have it all, if only you('d turned up)"
{ - Four To The Floor by Starsailor - 2004 - From the UK, Starsailor formed in 2000, their first three singles reached the top 20 and up until late 2006, all their singles made the UK top 40. But then things dropped off and they disbanded in 2009. They have since reformed and released a couple of more albums. 'Four To The Floor', from their 2nd album, reached 24 on the UK charts but was #1 in Belgium and France. The songs 'Thin White Duke Mix' was ranked #70 in Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2004 and got to #5 on the ARIA charts making 'Four To The Floor' starsailors most successful song internationally}

A rare, very quiet night at the North Strathfield Hotel with only 7 teams coming along this week. And after what happened, a number of regulars will be very disappointed they didn't come along.

Hope to see everyone back soon!

We had two teams tied for the lead at the break and it went right down to the wire but it was "F**k Queensland!!!" 🖕🏻🐸 utilising their regular annual State Of Origin team name who got one more correct and claimed victory.
Not really bothered about coming second were "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Tabasco" 🧑🏻🤩🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣🔴🌶🌶, and you will find out why later!
Trouble was in third place, well at least that's how "The Dithering Delinquents" 😫🥱😤🤔🤬 saw themselves last night and they were very happy with the result.
Given the small number of teams, a quick rundown of everyone else would be appropriate...
4th - "Sefton Mojito" 🤏🏻🏘🍸 with most regulars abandoning the team, a ringer was brought in to help the last remaining member.
5th - The "Trout Sniffers" 🐟👃🏻 who were just a little too smart for their own good. I think my attempt at humour after the show slightly missed the mark, but it is great to see a duo evolve into a much bigger team all having a great time!
2nd Last - "Rummy Mummy" 🥃🤰🏻 were also stoked to score a prize getting a $10 voucher.
Meanwhile, the Special Bonus Floating Prize, in a rare occurrence, went to the team opposite to first, the appropriately named "FAAAHH!" 🤬👉🏻.

The Jackpot 💸 was at 💸💸 $350 💸💸 in vouchers and was won! Thanks to Michelle Yeoh, "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Tabasco" 🧑🏻🤩🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣🔴🌶🌶 got all seven correct and thus next week, we see the Jackpot return to $100 in vouchers. 💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! ☕🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

20/05/2026

"She's into new sensations
New kicks in the candlelight
She's got a new addiction
(Whale Trivia every Tuesday) night"
{ - Livin' La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin - 1999 - This was Ricky Martin's English language debut and it came from his fifth album. It was massive hit worldwide reaching #1 in over 20 countries. It is generally considered to be the song that brought Latin pop to the mainstream and paved the way for other Latin pop stars such as J-Lo, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Enrique Iglesias. But it also revived careers for other Latino artists and pioneers such as Santana and Gloria Estefan.}

We were lucky last night as we had 13 teams at the North Strathfield Hotel. We also learnt some things that maybe we should just leave there and try not to bring up again in the future... or at least until the next time 'Honest Juan' is in attendance!

A tight race at the break saw two teams tied for the lead, but as has often been the case of late, it was "Livin' La Vida Tabasco" 🎉💃🏻🕺🏻🇵🇷🌶🌶 who got a couple more correct and scored another victory!
Putting in an awesome effort this week, especially when they were missing a few regulars, "Conference Final Mojito" ⛹🏻‍♂️🏅🍸 did their best but had to settle for second place.
It was Birthday time and a lovely cake was had, with some very nicely flavoured icing, and maybe that was why "Lad, I Was Elided From The Iliad!" 🧓🏻💬👉🏻📜🏛 had such a good time but came in third.
The Special Bonus Floating Prize was won by ""2140"" 2️⃣1️⃣4️⃣0️⃣! It looks like their specialty was definitely used to a 'T'!

The Jackpot went West for a theme but was not completed by any teams this week, so, it climbs to $350 in vouchers next week. 💰💲💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🍶🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

13/05/2026

"(Simmo Whale, Oi! Simmo Whale
Simmo Whale, Oi! Trivia
Simmo Whale, Oi! Simmo Whale)"
{ - Doctorin' The Tardis by The Timelords - 1988 - The story behind this song is an interesting one. 'The Timelords' were made up of 'Time Boy', 'Lord Rock' and 'Ford Timelord' aka Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty who were 'The KLF', and Cauty's 1968 Ford Galaxie American Police Car which featured heavily in the film clip for the song. The duo claimed 'Ford' was the talent in the band and the songs writer. They later stated they were deliberately trying to write a number 1 house song using the Doctor Who theme but it wasn't working and they realised they had a glam rock beat and added samples from 'Rock n Roll Part 2' by a now disgraced musician and 'The Sweets' single 'Blockbuster'. The result saw it hit #1 in the UK, #2 in Australia and the top 100 in the US. As UK Sounds magazine put it "a rancid reworking of ancient discs... a record so noxious that a top ten place can be its only destiny". No wonder I loved it!}

A deceptive looking crowd was in the house at the North Strathfield Hotel last night. And by that I mean the room did not look that full but we ended up with a dozen teams! And the best part was we had two new teams who had a blast and will definitely be back... and apologies to the team who did all that research on Whales!

As for the quiz itself, it was a familiar tune. With several regular teams being a little less frequent these days, 'Tabasco Supernova' 🌶🌶🌌💥 once again led from start to finish. Looks like I have some work ahead!
When I saw their name I was dreading the possibility of them getting on the podium, but "75 Mojito's" 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸 🎂did just that as they finished in 2nd place... Happy Birthday!
Completing the aforementioned podium were "Jim's Mowing Down Capital Gains" 🧔🏻🚜📈 who got a good pop for their name and finished in third place.
The "Disco Divas" 💃🏻🕺🏻🤩 won the Special Bonus Floating Prize... and given that was what they were aiming for, they were extremely happy! It's not all about coming first when you play Whale Trivia!

The Jackpot very nearly went off but that means next week it climbs to $300 in vouchers! 💰💲💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🥃🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

06/05/2026

"We are the people that rule the (quiz)
A force running in every (Tuesday night)
All rejoicing in the world
(Is what we want, but they just cry)"
{ - We Are The People by Empire Of The Sun - 2008 - This was the second single from the debut album for Australian electronic duo Empire Of The Sun and saw reasonable success here and in the UK. The band had/have a strange relationship with the US though. Their debut single, 'Walking On A Dream' didn't chart in the US till 9 years after its release when it was used in a car commercial. And 'We Are The People' only charted in the US in 2024 when they released their first single in 8 years.}

We had a good crowd in for trivia last night with the place also seeing a good number of regular customers as well. Thank goodness we are done with the long weekends for a while!

Running out to a three point lead in the first half meant it was going to be a big job to catch "Come To Brazil Tabasco" 😁👐🏻👉🏻🇧🇷🌶🌶 and it turned out to be too big as they ended up winning by 2 points.
They had some friends in this week and "Pegasus" 🧚🐴🧚 put them to good use. A strong first half, and the equal best second half score, saw them finish in second place.
The other strong finishing team were "Somehow Related" 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍🦰🧬👩🏻 who for some reason were not really there, and it seemed to raise more questions than answers based on their team name. They finished third.
A last minute arrival and late receipt of answers sheets were an ominous start for "Sumner" 🧓🏻⚗🔬, but a lot of fun was had and in the end they got to take home the Special Bonus Floating Prize!

The Jackpot did not go off despite some very close attempts, so next week it climbs again to $250 in vouchers. 💰💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🥂🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

29/04/2026

"I (listen) in, now move out - Hands up, now hands down
Back up, back up - Tell me what (did he ask?)
Breathe in, now breathe out - Hands up, now hands down
Back up, back up - Tell me what (to say) now
Keep (oin', oin', oin', oin' - Simmo!)
Keep (oin', oin', oin', oin') - Come on
Keep (oin', oin', oin', oin' - Oi)
Keep (oin', oin', oin', oin' )"
{ - Rollin' by Limp Bizkit - 2000 - Off the back of their controversial set at Woodstock '99 that was the catalyst for the riled up, ripped off crowd, to go into a violent riot that destroyed the festival, LImp Bizkit released Rollin' as their second single from their third album. While one of their better known songs, and their best charting, it also copped criticism with VH1 ranking it as one of the 50 "Most Awesomely Bad Songs". In the US it only reached 65 on the Billboard charts, 11 here in Australia but #1 in the UK and Ireland.}

It was a quiet night at the North Strathfield Hotel following the ANZAC Day weekend, right on the back of the Easter long weekend too. We had 9 teams and quite a lot of players but with all the regular traffic missing, it was eerily peaceful at times. Luckily I hosted trivia and filled the place with noise and fun!

At the break it looked like it was all over with one team running out to a two point lead and the rest strung out behind. Oh, but how wrong would you have been!
In the end we had 4 teams tied in first place. We had a tie breaker and "Magic Mario" 🔮🇮🇹🧙🏼, who had struggled in part 1 but were one away from perfection in part 2, continued that momentum and were closest to the correct answer for the win.
Second closest were the early leaders, "Pokémon Tabasco Red & Tabasco Green" 🐹🌶🌶🔴🌶🌶🟢, so at least they still got a decent reward.
Third furthest away were "Undrafted Mojito" 📝✖🤷🏼‍♂️🍸, who outlasted a few teams to complete the podium.
Kudos to "A Return To Tilting Windmills" ↪️⚔🌬🏭 for giving themselves a shot at glory but falling a little short.
The Special Bonus Floating Prize was met with trepidation by its winners, "Deep" 👇🏻🌊🐋🐟🐙🌊, but when they found out what it was, they left with a sweet smile!

The Jackpot did not go off and so climbs to $200 in vouchers next week! 💰💰

Cheers! See you next time, and please, have a Wonderful Week! 🍷🙋🏻‍♂️🌈🐳

Address

7 George St North Strathfield
North Strathfield, NSW
2137

Opening Hours

Monday 7pm - 9pm
Tuesday 7pm - 9pm
Wednesday 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:30pm - 9:30pm

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