General News
5 August, 2022
Emergency Services Charity Ball, fun for a good cause
The region’s most prominent social event, the FNQ Emergency Services Charity Ball 2022, kicks off this Saturday.
A night of fine dining, cocktails, live music and dance are on the agenda for Saturday, all in the name of a good cause.
The event sold out in under three weeks with the largest number of tickets ever sold, almost 900 tickets, FNQESA President John-Byron Bacalakis commented.
“We really appreciate the community support that the event has received. It’s amazing how quickly it sold out. It’s a testament to the committee behind the scenes organising the event,” Mr Bacalakis said.
“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support this year with 890 guests attending, the biggest yet,” he said.
The ball is a chance for everyone in Far North Queensland to celebrate the hard work of the frontline workers and help a local charity, Rosies – Friends on the Street.
“The night allows the whole community a chance to mix with the local emergency services and to thank the local front line workers for all they do in the community, and it allows the emergency services workers to let their hair down for the night,” Mr Bacalakis said.
Working closely with Rosies - Friends on the Street to coordinate the event and organise the live auctions, Mr Bacalakis said the committee is honoured to help raise funds assisting the charity to continue making a difference in the lives of others every night right here in Cairns.
“Rosies does so much for the community; it helps people on the street or those struggling to make ends meet by creating an opportunity for companionship, someone to talk to and receive a meal,” Mr Bacalakis said.
Rosies - Friends on the Street CEO Jayne Shallcross is hugely excited that they are the beneficiary this year.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of our partners, the Cairns community, Mr Bacalakis and the planning committee. Funds raised from a wonderful event like this are life-changing for our local branch and those we serve,” Ms Shallcross said.
“We are so grateful to have been selected as the charity partner for so many reasons - it’s been a lovely way to help celebrate the Cairns branch turning 30. We can’t wait for the event and everything the committee has in store for the night.”
