Are you trying to photograph at events where they allow cameras or are you sneaking your camera in? The reality is that the flashes on most compact cameras have about a ten foot range. If you really want better photos you're going to need to step it up and get a camera that allows you to use a hot shoe flash. If you're trying to sneak your camera in, that does complicate things since you'll then be carrying a flash as well as a camera. But it will make a big difference in your photos.

I have a Canon G2 and the top-of-the-line Canon 500 EX flash. It's got yards and yards of reach in the right conditions. The same goes for the Olympus 5060 with the Olympus pro flash and the Nikon Coolpix 5700 with the Nikon Speedlight flashes. The new Minolta A1 also has a flash hot shoe and they make an excellent flash. You're just asking toomuch of your camera.