December 18, 2019
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell hopes the funds raised at the next Mayor’s Ball – to be held in 2021 – will go towards South Burnett fire services.
The 2017 ball at Kingaroy Town Hall raised an astounding $56,000 for the South Burnett Community Hospital Foundation, while this year’s event raised more than $40,000 for the Red Earth Community Foundation.
Mayor Campbell said a report would be presented to the next Council meeting recommending the next recipient of the Mayor’s Charity Ball fundraising event.
“The efforts of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Rural Fire Service, Primary Producer Brigades and State Emergency Services have been put to the test during this fire season,” Mayor Campbell said.
“Their great efforts have not gone unnoticed. Every time there is a disaster of any kind, the same fantastic effort is repeated.
“I’ve had a number of people ask me what can Council do to acknowledge this great work.
“I will be recommending that proceeds from the next Mayor’s Ball will go to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services for distribution to the fire services that need to fundraise for equipment in order to save property and the lives of people.
“We don’t know what’s ahead of us in terms of disasters of any type, however we can be sure that irrespective of the event, the same wonderful services will be there in support of community in the South Burnett.
“Of course, these great teams of men and women throughout the country deserve the same accolade and we commend them as well. My fellow Councillors are supportive of the choice to assist our local services.
“I feel that this is a great way to recognise and give back to those that give tirelessly of themselves.”
Giving the money to QFES is no guarantee that any or all of it will go to local firies – they’re a State agency and the money could wind up helping brigades in other regions. Much better to divvy it up and send equal shares directly to all our local fire brigades.
All these great men and women who volunteer their services do such a fantastic job for our region. When we all work together in many different ways, we can do so much to make our region a fantastically resilient place. To ensure that the local firies will be the beneficiaries, I have made appropriate arrangements with QFES to ensure that all funds raised will be distributed to South Burnett Primary Producer Brigades and the Rural Fire Services.