PROGRESSIVE fundraising group, Young Aggies Moree, invites local volunteer groups to submit expressions of interest for donations from funds raised at the 2024 Gold Rush Ball in September.
Since 2015, the Gold Rush Ball has been a major fundraiser for the Young Aggies Moree Rural Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship provides financial support to help tertiary agriculture students complete work experience in Moree in a drive to attract young professional talent to the district.
Young Aggies Moree vice-president, Sophie Hemsley-Hackett, said the organisation each year chose a secondary organisation to share ball proceeds.
“In 2022, we chose the Royal Flying Doctor Service in appreciation of their COVID-19 vaccination program across regional and remote communities,” Ms Hemsley-Hackett said.
More than $65,000 was raised, and shared equally between the RFDS and the scholarship.
The following year, rather than select a secondary organisation, a slightly different approach was adopted.
The new format meant local groups received equal shares of $70,297, which surpassed funds raised in 2022.
“We wanted to spread the success of our event as far as we can across the Moree Plains Shire,” Ms Hemsley-Hackett said.
In 2023, successful applicants included Country Education Foundation of Moree, Gwydir Industries, Gwydir Mobile Children’s Service, Moree & District Historical Society, Moree Show Society, Rural Aid and the Young Aggies Moree Scholarship Fund.
“We are so grateful for the dedication and hard work of the volunteers who lead these groups, and others, to better our community each day,” Ms Hemsley-Hackett said.
“We are again calling for volunteer-led community groups, whether they be sporting, social or cultural, or for young or old, from Boomi to Bullarah and anywhere in between, to apply as fundraising beneficiaries.
“The only selection criteria is organisations must be passionate about enhancing community life within the Moree Plains Shire,” she said.
The 2024 Gold Rush Ball will be held on Saturday, September 21. Already, tickets are sold out.
“There will be 500 guests coming together at Moree Race Club to enjoy an evening of celebration and glamour,” Ms Hemsley-Hackett said.
Local organisations can submit expressions of interest by completing a brief questionnaire available at https://forms.gle/KvwxBLmreggiVR367.
Relevant information can also be found at social media platforms, @YoungAggiesMoree, or email young.aggies@gmail.com.
Submissions close Saturday, August 31, 2024.
