MONOPOLY was the theme of the 2016 Casa Grande Ball.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Clues on the tickets such as the London Eye, the Shard, and other British symbols were red herrings to the ball’s theme, although were attributing the great city’s influence on the popular board game.
The tennis court was transformed by the tables, stage, decorations and features such as the Monopoly In-Jail bar, and colour arranged seating. American and Mount Isa versions of the board game’s real estate properties were also on the walls.
Broader British features included a pretend phone booth, a double-decker London bus decoration cheekily named the ‘Westerman Express’, and of course, Union Jacks.
Casa Grande committee spokeswoman Leanne Ryder said there were 320 guests on the night.
The fine weather was perfect for the ball held underneath the stars.
“The band ‘Devine’ ensured the dance floor was well used all night,” she said.
Spotted among the attendees included Glencore management and employees, local business leaders, State Member Rob Katter, and Mount Isa District Superintendent Kev Guteridge.
Mount Isa Mayor Joyce McCulloch was also at the ball as a Zonta Club volunteer behind the scenes.
“I’ve supported it for eight years,” she said.
“I got a special invitation this year but I had to gracefully decline, I wanted to do this.”
Glencore copper operations chief operating officer Mike Westerman recognised the mayor’s contribution on the night.
“Once a Zonta, always a Zonta. You can’t get out of that,” he said.
Mrs Ryder said the money raised on the night went to the Casa Grande Ball Benefit Fund.
“We want to say thank you to our sponsors and guests in their support in raising funds for the Casa Grande Ball.”
The committee would not know how much they raised for the fund until later in the week.
They first discussed the ball’s theme in May, and considered current trends.
After cleaning the tennis court on Monday they would have a break until the new year before planning next year’s Casa Grande Ball.