Charity ball to be held September

Zetta Boutique manager Karen Thompson and Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch with dresses to be auctioned at the charity ball.

Scottie Simmonds

PULL out some dance shoes and your wallet for the silent auction at the Mayor’s Charity Ball at the Bundaberg Civic Centre on September 11.

Dozens of prizes including sporting memorabilia, celebrity artefacts and two designer dresses will be on offer at the event’s silent auction, which will raise money for Guide Dogs Bundaberg and the Look Good Feel Better Program.

Bundaberg mayor Lorraine Pyefinch said the two dresses, which had been donated, were the highlight of the silent auction.

A one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly dress — which has been shown off on runways in Shanghai and Hong Kong — and an heirloom dress will be on display at the Zetta Boutique for those wanting a closer look before the ball.

“Last year we raised about $10,000, so considering the difficult economic circumstances in Bundaberg at the moment, we are hoping to raise about the same this year,” Cr Pyefinch said.

Cr Pyefinch said the charities were chosen based on simple criteria — that the organisation was for local benefit, that they were celebrating a particular milestone or had an upcoming responsibility, and that the organisation would help promote the ball.

“We actually get people approaching us and, if there is more than one who are appropriate, we try to split it between two,” she said.

Cr Pyefinch said the theme of the ball was being kept a secret until the night.

Tickets for the ball are available until Tuesday and are on sale at the council’s offices or at www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au.