The Burrowa House auction and Masquerade Ball, held on Saturday, February 15th, was a resounding success, drawing a remarkable crowd of 130 at-tendees. With some incredible items up for bid, the auction raised nearly $24,000 for Burrowa House, an essential community service.
Event organiser Phil Coggins shared insight into the fundraising effort: “We’re using the funds to build an enclosed sunroom where the old patio area is located. This area is outdated and unusable it’s too cold in winter and too hot in summer. By enclosing the space, we can make it a more comfortable area for our residents, and these funds will help make that happen.”
The auction began at 8 pm, and some impressive items were up for grabs, including a Randwick Races gift pack that sold for $7,000 and four tickets to a State of Origin game.
“We received incredibly generous donations from various people, making it a truly successful fundraising event,” Coggins said. “On top of the auction sales, we raised additional funds through stall fees and other donations. While we haven’t finalised the total amount, we estimate it’s close to $30,000,” he continued. That kind of support will go a long way in helping to complete the enclosed sunroom. The event was entirely volunteer run by the Burrowa House fundraising committee and board members.
“We had four or five people on the fundraising committee who did a fantastic job, and even the residents of Burrowa House contributed by making the masquerade masks that were sold for $10 each. It’s the little things like that that add up over time,” Coggins said. Burrowa House, which currently has 20 beds, is a vital part of the community. Coggins noted, “We’re always looking for ways to improve and expand. Eventually, we hope to build a new facility to increase capacity. It’s an important service for the community, and everyone is eager to see it succeed.”
“The aged care sector has faced tough times, with many facilities closing down, but we’re committed to staying open. Burrowa House is a vital part of this town, and events like this help ensure we can continue providing care to our residents.”
The evening was also a fun social event, with a light supper followed by a band. Many guests stayed well into the night, with the last attendees leaving around midnight.
“It was not only a great fundraiser, but a wonderful social function as well. Everyone embraced the masquerade theme, wearing their masks and dancing. There were some impressive masks, and people really got into the spirit of the event.”
Looking ahead, Coggins added, “We don’t have any other fundraising events planned until next year, but we are always open to donations. We’re grateful for any contributions to help our cause. While other charities in town also need support, we aim to hold at least one event per year.” Burrowa House is an invaluable service for the local community.
“Most of our residents are locals, and it’s not just beneficial for them it’s also a huge relief for their families. They don’t have to travel long distances to visit their loved ones. Being able to make a short ten minute drive makes all the difference.”
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.
