THERE was a lot of festive fun to be had in a great cause in Mount Isa on Saturday.
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Before Christmas is traditionally the time of the Mayoress’s Ball but new incumbent Joyce McCulloch had other ideas with the inaugural wine tree charity event.
All the money raised on the night went towards purchases for the children’s ward at the Mount Isa Hospital.
“Like many things with this council, we are doing things differently and are striving to make some positive changes within our community,” Cr McCulloch said.
“Our future lies with the next generation, our children and our grandchildren and their health is paramount.”
Cr McCulloch said while the facilities for children at the hospital were good, we could always do better.
“That is why we are here tonight,” she said.
The Mayor said the theme of the night was inspired by the Ronald McDonald ball which also raises funds for children’s health needs.
“My greatest wish is that this event tonight will compliment the (Ronald McDonald ball) by raising money for the children treated here in our city,” she said.
Among the items the event hoped to fund was a $16,000 defibrillator, a phototherapy blanket and compact LED system worth $10,000, a Bubble Cpap machine (which provides ventillation for newborns) worth $7000 as well as DVD players, game boys and a game console for the ward’s playroom.
At the wine tree event, there was an actual wine tree looking imposing on the stage.
It was complete with dozens of bottles of donated wine, worth over $6000 (with one individual bottle of Grange believed to be worth $800).
The wine tree was later auctioned off for over $7000.
North West Health and Hospital Board chair Paul Woodhouse said they were delighted by the contribution. “I humbly congratulate you and thank you for the generosity shown tonight by Mount Isa City Council and the sponsors in this inaugural event,” Mr Woodhouse said.
“There are no more fragile members of our community than our youth.”
Highlights of the night included a performance of the skills of the cocktail serving barstaff, the big sound of Bandana and a surprise performance on stage by state member Robbie Katter.
Mr Katter belted out a performance of Johnny Cash’s Jackson accompanied by local music teacher Kate Hartley.