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The remote north-west Queensland town of Doomadgee has been inundated with gorgeous gowns, after people from across Australia and the world responded to a call-out for donated dresses ahead of the community’s NAIDOC ball.
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council is organising the gala event, bringing back the balls of yesteryear to rekindle stories from their elders of glamorous nights dancing under the stars.
It has enlisted the assistance of Yolonde Entsch, founder of Empowering Women, Empowering Communities, whose social media post calling for gown and tuxedo donations went viral.
“Accessing gowns when you live in such a remote area is challenging but also the community doesn’t have the money to buy gowns and shoes and things,” Ms Entsch told Tropic Now.
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“That post reached over 2.2 million people.
“We’ve had over a thousand dresses donated and they have come from as far as Tasmania, we had some come in from America, a lot of people in Sydney and also the Sunshine Coast have also donated.
“One of the mothers who saw her daughter in one of the gowns said it has uplifted her spirits and given the community something to be really excited about.
“The men haven’t been forgotten either – people have donated tuxedos and shoes and bow ties, they’re going to look amazing.”
Organisers have one more major item on their wish-list for a true fairy-tale ending: funding for fireworks so the entire community, including children, benefit from the event.
They’re now asking for cash donations.
“My wish is for fireworks because no matter where anyone is in the community, they will be able to see those fireworks,” Ms Entsch said.
"I’d love people who aren’t going to the ball to still experience it in some form.
“I do need another $20,000 just to get over the line and another $10,000 for the fireworks.”
The estimated budget including catering, staging, audio visual, lighting and entertainment is $53,000, with less than half of that raised so far.
To donate, go to the event’s GoFundMe page.
Main points
- The Doomadgee Under the Stars NAIDOC week ball will be held on July 8
- Donations of gowns and tuxedos have been sent from across the globe
- Organisers are now raising funds for a fireworks display that everyone in the community can enjoy
