A black tie charity ball in the name of giving back to bushfire victims is to be marked on the Gunnedah social calendar.
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Local women Kelly Warren and Belinda Thomas have set the ball rolling with the date marked down for May 27.
A fundraising goal of $50,000 has also been set to be donated to victims of the Sir Ivan bushfire and to the local Rural Fire Service unit.
On the same weekend in February, Boggabri was hit by bushfires as well as Uarbry and the Dunedoo areas, with more than 50,000 hectares wiped out in the Sir Ivan blaze.
Locals co-ordinated hay drives and food drop-offs for victims of the fire but Kelly said she wanted to do something different.
Kelly said watching the bushfire unfold on the news “tugged at her heartstrings”.
“Just after the fires occurred, I was watching the news and seeing the dead and suffering stock and kangaroos really hit home,” Kelly said.
“I’m not sure if it’s because I’m from a farming background, but I just decided I had to do something.
“I went to Uarbry to have a look at it first hand and it was so horrible, there was just no life there – it was eerie.”
Kelly contacted a number of people in the community to help organise the ball including the Parkview Hotel and The Verdict, and most recently welcomed Rotary Club of Gunnedah 2380 on board, with members donating their time to help organise.
The ball committee has decided to also donate funds to the local RFS unit for their hard work during the local fires.
The ball will be held at the Gunnedah Town Hall on Saturday, May 27 from 6pm.
A three course meal, including canapes, a main and dessert will be served up by The Verdict’s catering team. A bar will also be in operation.
An auction will be held on the night, with local stock agents from Pollock and Cummins on the hammer.
Kelly said the committee is still in the process of organising and accepting auction items, however some big ticket items already donated include a handmade timber table from Tom Baker of TK Reclaimed, a flight experience with Tamworth Flight Training, two full makeup vouchers from local makeup artist Erin Shorter and a Kristen Fisher Eyebrows voucher worth $1000.
“If anyone is keen to donate auction items or become a sponsor of the ball, we have packages available,” Kelly said.
Kelly said guest speakers for the event are yet to be advised.
Tickets will be $100 and reservations are currently being taken for tables of 10.
The ticket price includes entry, canapes on arrival, a main, a dessert and two free drinks, plus entertainment for the night.
A Facebook page has been set up to keep the community updated on the progress of the ball, find Bush Fire Charity Ball on Facebook.
For more information or to donate items phone Kelly Warren on 0428 441 289 or email bushfirecharityball@outlook.com
