MAYORAL BALL’S TRANSFORMING LIVES & EDUCATION IN BALONNE

The Balonne Mayoral Ball’s have become a must-do attraction that are creating a major cultural shift in the Shire by boosting local educational opportunities and giving vocational students an avenue to stay close to their family, while achieving their educational dreams.

In May 2021, the Balonne Country Universities Centre was launched and has become a cornerstone of educational change in the Shire, welcoming 300 students to date, which far exceeds the original target of 38 students over the first four years.

The 2022 and 2023 Mayoral Ball’s have raised and contributed over $96,000 for a bursary fund to support the Balonne CUC’s students with costs associated with their educational needs. 

Balonne Shire Mayor, Samantha O’Toole was delighted to have the Mayoral Ball’s contribute this cultural and educational shift in the Shire.  

“The Balonne CUC has been a real game-changer for our Shire, as it is not only creating an educational shift in our Shire, it is creating an entire cultural shift”, said Mayor O’Toole. 

“All across Australia, regional and rural communities have been struggling with the loss of their young minds, who leave the area for the big cities to pursue the educational goals.

“Here in Balonne, we are turning that shift around and are having some great success in giving our youth an avenue to stay in the area close to their families, whilst achieving their educational goals. 

“Our original goal was to have 38 students studying through the Balonne CUC over four years and we have just reached the milestone of 300 students since May of 2021 and have 103 students registered in this semester alone.

“I am so delighted that our Mayoral Ball’s are contributing to this initiative by supporting students with the other costs associated with their educational needs like travel and educational expenses. 

“Our upcoming 2024 Mayoral Ball tickets are now live and people should get in quick before they miss out on this great opportunity to support this positive change in our Shire.”

Tickets are available at https://www.trybooking.com/CSRIC