The Macquarie Matrons once again excelled in organising the huge sixth biennial event and transformed the Namoi Cotton Gin shed into a magnificent ballroom.

Beautiful warm evening conditions greeted guests as they stepped from buses, with volunteer wait and bar staff ensuring glasses were filled for the outdoor pre-dinner drinks. Basic black was the favoured dress code, with a spattering of colourful outfits and accessories adding to the atmosphere.

There was a serious side to all the ‘glitz and glam’ with ball-goers shelling out $190 a head for a night out and the privilege of raising funds to benefit the children’s charity Angel Flight.

Master of ceremonies for the event was leg spin legend and cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe who combined attending his first formal ball in the bush with catching up with friends from Narromine.

He kept the crowd enthralled with cricketing tales, while other special guest, Channel Nine sports reporter Tim Sheridan, kept the communication lines open with live crosses to the auction tent throughout proceedings.

Macquarie Matrons’ publicity officer Sally Ceeney said a wonderful $100,000 was raised on the night largely from the auction proceeds, with $75,000 to benefit the charity Angel Flight and $25,000 earmarked for the Macquarie Regional Support Fund taking in the towns of Narromine, Trangie, Warren and Tottenham.

Mrs Ceeney described the ball as “fantastic”, with the band Enormous Horns keeping the dance floor packed to capacity.

“The Matrons are very proud of the amount of money raised through the help of the community and the generosity of sponsors and those that attended, with people coming from everywhere to support the night,” Mrs Ceeney said.

“A big thank you particularly to all the volunteers that helped including school students, sporting and service club members, in what was a huge effort.”