Balonne Shire Council’s inaugural Balonne Mayoral Ball has raised close to $45,000 for charity.
The event, which featured a James Bond theme, was held at the Cultural Centre at the Hub in St George last month.
The beneficiary of the funding efforts is the student bursary of the Country Universities
Centre (CUC) Balonne.
Mayor, Samantha O’Toole said it was a wonderful night, with 140 guests in attendance.
“I’m absolutely delighted that the Mayoral Ball was such a fantastic event and that is thanks to our organising committee, which includes representatives from the community, council and the Country Universities Centre Balonne,” said Mayor O’Toole.
“There was big-hearted bidding throughout the auction, which combined with generous contributions from our corporate sponsors, has given us a substantial sum of money to support local students in achieving their further education goals, without having to leave their hometown.”
Including the student bursary, Mayor O’Toole said the event also generated almost $100,000 in economic benefits to the Shire, including the use of local services and products for the event, visitor expenditure and accommodation.
Country Universities Centre Balonne manager, Alix Greenhill said the organisation aims to drive change in rural and remote education and empower the Balonne community to fulfil their potential through higher education, by providing highly connected learning communities in St George and Dirranbandi.
“We are extremely grateful for the amazing sponsors, organisers, and attendees of the 2022 Balonne Mayoral Ball,’’ she said.
“Their generosity affords students at CUC Balonne with quality opportunities to pursue their dreams without having to relocate, while creating vibrant and more prosperous futures for themselves and the wider community.”
Gold sponsors for the 2022 Balonne Mayoral Ball included AH & JH Earthmoving, Field Solutions Group, Leading Roles, Lonergan Projects and O’Brien Toyota. Silver sponsors were Safeway Excavations and Tierney Crushing & Transport. The St George Cotton Growers Association were bronze sponsors.
The Mayor said planning was already underway to make the 2023 ball a huge success.
