ARDLETHAN is the next stop on the map for the Bale Out Ball movement.
The initiative, once a small idea kick-started by Sarah McCaig, "Glenayr", Coolamon, has grown in the past 12 months with the second ball to be held on Saturday, February 14.
The first Bale Out Ball, held in Marrar in the Riverina last July, attracted 150 guests and raised $3500 and Ms McCaig hopes for even better second time round.
The concept of the movement stems from a need to talk about the ongoing effects of drought, Ms McCraig said.
It kicked off its online presence on Facebook which attracted 5000 "likes" in April last year - a figure now pushing 13,000.
"It doesn't matter whether it's a drought year, there are always hard times, whether the cattle market is depressed or lambs are selling high, nothing is ever all going well at once," Ms McCaig said.
"The first ball was such a great success and it achieved just what we were hoping, bringing people together from around the region to have a fun social outing and get to know each other a bit better."
The small community of Ardlethan, between Temora and Griffith in the Riverina, seemed the ideal choice for the second event, Ms McCaig said.
"The bowling club burnt down last year and one of their pubs shut, so they could really use a bit of a boost at the moment," she said.
"Hopefully, we'll raise enough money to help rebuild the club and to donate some money to the community and any upcoming projects they have.
"Out around Beckom and the Ardlethan area many farmers have been carting stock and domestic water for some time, so it will be good timing to have a get together out that way."
There are 150 tickets available for the Ardlethan Bale Out Ball for $65 each.
n To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.baleoutball.org.au
Simone Norrie
Journalist for The Land at Wagga Wagga.
Journalist for The Land at Wagga Wagga.
