Bachelor and spinster (B&S) balls and country picnic races are synonymous with good country fun, but they are also essential fundraisers for rural communities.
Events like the Ariah Park B&S Ball have raised nearly $1 million for the town and surrounding areas since its inception, supporting vital infrastructure, scholarships, and community projects.
It's not just those looking for love that are welcoming the return of one of Australia’s longest-running balls on October 26 after four years of cancellations, but the wider community who love to work together to raise much needed funds.
The famous B&S ball was unable to run in 2020 due to Covid and has had an uphill battle to make a comeback due to issues with the insurance that is required to run the event.
Holly Walker, secretary of the Ariah Park B&S Ball, shared the impact of these setbacks.
"Pretty much you can look at anywhere—any building, any kid in Ariah Park—and the B&S would have given money to it,” Ms Walker said.
The ball has helped fund the local men’s shed, football ground, retirement village, and scholarships for struggling students, underscoring the significance of B&S events as not just social gatherings but major contributors to community welfare and infrastructure.
Held at the Ariah Park Showground, the event typically draws over 1,600 people — more than triple the district's population of 500.
After being cancelled for four years, Ms Walker hopes to see a similar turnout next weekend.
“It’s the town’s biggest fundraiser,” she explained, “and everyone puts their hand up to help —whether it’s setting up, working the barbecue, or volunteering at the bar”
The future of B&S balls has been uncertain, especially after what Ms Walker described as a “almost a nationwide insurance blanket ban post Covid” halted many events.
"We were willing to pay whatever they wanted, but we couldn’t even get to the application process," Ms Walker said.
Fortunately, a new company is now covering the insurance for several balls, including Ariah Park’s. This lifeline has reignited hope for keeping these events alive.
Beyond fundraising, B&S balls bring communities together, offering a rare opportunity for rural residents to socialise.
Younger generations run the event, with the support of those who went before them, ensuring the tradition continues.
"It's a well-oiled machine," Ms Walker said, praising the enthusiasm of younger volunteers while also acknowledging the steadfast contributions of older generations. Her father, Terry Walker, one of the ball's founders, still volunteers each year.
“Everybody knows how good it is for the town. Everybody puts their hand up to help.”
This year the rules for ball-goers include prohibiting "key-banging" outside of designated hours and maintaining a strict black-tie dress code, ensuring the event remains orderly despite its rowdy reputation.
As Ms Walker pointed out, “It’s not as bad as it looks,” referring to the wild images that sometimes appear on social media.
Much like the Ariah Park B&S Ball, country picnic races have also provided a lifeline for rural communities, driven by passionate volunteers. The Duck Creek Picnic Races, held in Nyngan, NSW, has become an iconic community event.
In 2023, The Duck Creek Picnic Races Committee and the Nyngan Rugby Club rallied $40,000 for Macquarie Home Stay in Dubbo. A further $25,000 was generated this year. Pic: Abigail McLaughlin
Over the past two years, the race committee has donated $65,000 to Macquarie Homestay, an accommodation service for families undergoing medical treatment in Dubbo, a hub for healthcare in regional NSW.
The Duck Creek Races president Rowen Cleaver, emphasised that their goal was to support local organisations.
“Our committee tries to find charities which directly benefit the people in our community,” Mr Cleaver said.
“We’d heard what a terrific job they are doing, and they’re currently expanding the facility so we were delighted to be able to give them a hand."
The Duck Creek Races committee has now donated a total of $65,000 to Macquarie Home Stay and will have a room named in its honour.
In almost every case, these events stem from humble beginnings. The Duck Creek Races started 20 years ago as a social event organised by the Bogan Bulls Rugby Union Club.
Since then, it has evolved into one of NSW’s most popular country racing events, attracting thousands of attendees from across the state. This year the event drew together a record crowd of more than 5,200 race goers.
The race meet has consistently raised money for various causes, including Rally for Reeves and the Do It For Dolly campaign.
Mr Cleaver highlighted that the event's growing popularity has enabled the committee to donate to a range of community causes such as the local medical centre, hospital, and sports clubs.
This year’s choice, Macquarie Homestay, provides crucial accommodation for regional patients and their families in Dubbo.
Mr Cleaver explained that supporting Macquarie Homestay was a natural fit for the race committee as the facility directly benefits people from the Nyngan area who rely on Dubbo for medical services.
Macquarie Homestay’s Chief Executive Officer, Rod Crowfoot, expressed gratitude for the donation and highlighted the far-reaching impact of the races.
“Chances are just about everyone who attended the Duck Creek Races is going to require medical treatment in the future, or a member of their family will,” Mr Crowfoot said.
“We were very fortunate to be a charity of choice for events such as Duck Creek and it’s important to point out that the money stays local because it is benefitting local people.”
Dubbo services the health needs of around a third of NSW – an area roughly similar to the Federal seat of Parkes.
