Elmore’s annual Summer Send Off Ball celebrated its 20th anniversary, drawing about 700 guests for a weekend of music and good company.
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The event was held from Friday, February 20, to Sunday, February 22, at the Elmore Events Centre.
With gates opening up on the Friday for the first time, about 60 per cent of the crowd arrived early to camp, with many arriving as early as 3pm.
Festivities ramped up on Saturday morning from 8am with novelty events in the activity area and live music from the Boots N All band.
The highlight of the weekend kicked off from 8pm, when guests dressed in their best for the ball and danced under the stars to live performances by the Iain Archibald Band, Ben Gunn and Three Chain Road.
Attendees were well catered for, with free breath testing provided by the Vanessa Bus, first aid on site and plenty of food, coffee and water available.
Most guests had packed up and headed home by 10am on the Sunday.
Committee member Frank Harney said the milestone event was another success.
“It was really, really good,” he said.
“Since COVID, we've probably had (crowds) around the 650 to 700 mark and that seems to be settling on the number.
“It's a very workable crowd, very manageable. So really the last ball was really good.”
During the event, lifetime memberships were awarded to long-serving committee members Brian Mullane, Liz Harney and Mr Harney in recognition of their dedication to the event.
The ball had humble beginnings, with the minutes of its first meeting written on an old beer bottle bag, and has since grown into the popular event it is today.
Mr Harney was one of the founders, with Mr Mullane and Ms Harney joining the committee soon after.
Over the past two decades, the ball has raised about $800,000, with funds reinvested back into communities across the region.
Mr Harney said the committee has always focused on “making sure the money goes directly where we wanted it to go”.
Supported initiatives include a Jaws of Life for the Rochester SES, a community car for elderly residents, the L2P driver mentoring program at Rochester Secondary College and agricultural scholarships for students attending Longerenong College.
The committee has also donated items to communities impacted by bushfires, including fencing materials and toys for children.
While volunteers are not paid directly for their time, they can represent a local club or organisation, with the committee donating their pay to the chosen group.
The initiative has helped support football clubs, tennis clubs, pony clubs and schools across the district.
Mr Harney said the event's longevity is largely been due to having a strong committee.
“The balls that have finished or folded have been more because they run out of people to run them,” he said.
“There's been a few hurdles along the way. To keep a committee keen and vibrant is probably the hardest task.
“We’ve got a good mix of us oldies that sort of just stay in the background and help out, and then the young ones — and the young ones are doing a fantastic job.”
With 20 years behind it and a committed committee still at the helm, the Summer Send Off Ball looks set to continue for years to come.