Big Night Full Of Surprises

20150523 Mayor's Gala Charity Ball — Michael Hunter, from the SBRC, presented Sir Joh’s old Cabinet gavel to Danny Kreutzer who paid $6500 for the piece of Queensland’s history

May 25, 2015

The third annual Mayor’s Ball, held in Kingaroy on Saturday, was packed with surprises … not the least of which were the $6500 bid for former Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s old gavel and the $40,000 raised overall on the night.

The gavel, which was donated to the South Burnett Regional Council by the Local Government Association of Queensland, was bought by Kingaroy businessman Danny Kreutzer, from Westlink Petroleum, after some spirited bidding during the charity auction.

Danny plans to give the gavel to his father, Marty, who formerly ran the old Colinton Service Station. Sir Joh would drop into the business whenever he passed by and the two men became friends.

But the main shock on the night was the bombshell announcement by South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann that he plans to retire from Council at the next Council election (see separate report).

As always, the Mayor’s Ball was filled with glitter and glamour as the ladies paraded in their finest ball gowns and the gents dusted off their tuxes.

The evening began with drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the Town Hall forecourt, served by TAFE Hospitality students while the Kingaroy State High School Stage Band provided a musical backdrop.

Then the order was given for the guests to head inside the hall where they were met with a fairyland of lights and glittering disco balls on their tables.

Up-and-coming young country singer Bridget O’Shannessy sang the National Anthem.

Jimmy Stephen and Wayne Smith, from Cassis at Booie, provided the catering for the 340 diners.

Between courses, the focus switched to the serious business of fund-raising. As well as a giant raffle with multiple prizes ($5 a ticket), there were two rounds of auctions which raised a grand total of about $23,500.

A video showing some of the projects supported by the Mayor’s Community Benefit Fund last year was shown before a cheque for $15,000 was presented to representatives from Graham House in Murgon. They will use the funding for their “Warm for Winter” project which will provide blankets, mattresses and beds to community members in need.

Entertainment was provided by Matt Phillips, from Kingaroy State High School; Bjorn Again (an Abba tribute band) and Midnight Groove who kept the dance floor filled until midnight.

Compere John Carey announced from the stage later in the night that more than $40,000 had been raised from the evening.

UPDATED May 28: The Gala Ball has raised more than $43,000 for the Mayor’s Community Benefit Fund. The next funding round will open on Monday, August 3, and close on August 31. For more information, contact Michael Hunter on (07) 4189-9316.