Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Silver Ball Comittee Photo credit: The Silver Ball
After a seven-year hiatus, the Silver Ball returned over the weekend, welcoming 240 guests and raising more than $20,000 for brain cancer research at its sold-out event.
Held at the Shire Hall in Innisfail, the masquerade-themed evening saw guests arrive in elegant masks, creating a fun, mysterious and sophisticated atmosphere for the night's festivities.
Organiser Rachel Accatino said she was overwhelmed by the level of community support, particularly amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
“There was such amazing support from the community. I’m speechless. It was such an incredible evening – thank you to everyone who came along and made it so special,” she said.
Rachel lost her own father to brain cancer in 2017. The event was originally established in his honour, but he sadly passed away shortly before the inaugural ball.
The Silver Ball continued in 2018 and 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic brought it to a halt in 2020.
“People kept asking us to bring it back,” Rachel said.
“One guy said he’d been waiting seven years for it to return!”
Rachel said the event holds a special place in the hearts of many local families affected by brain cancer.
She recalled one family who recently lost their father to the disease just one month after his diagnosis. The family purchased two tables for the event in support of the cause.
Raffles were held in the lead-up to the evening, while guests also bid on auction items and silent auction prizes throughout the night.
Although final figures are still being calculated, organisers have already confirmed the event raised at least $20,000.
Funds will be donated directly to the Mark Hughes Foundation, which supports research aimed at finding a cure for brain cancer.
“There is treatment, but there is no cure,” Rachel said.
Following this year’s successful return, organisers hope to establish the Silver Ball as a biennial event.
Rachel extended her gratitude to everyone who attended, the local businesses that donated prizes, Roscoe’s Catering and local band Beerbody for helping make the evening such a success.
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