The struggle to pay the bills for community groups and sporting clubs is a tale all too familiar for many – especially in small communities. It doesn’t matter whether it’s rugby league or the Country Women’s Association.
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For groups to get things done there needs to be money in the kitty.
There’s always a government grant from local, state or federal levels but often these aren’t guaranteed and there’s a lot of people looking for the help.
Regional clubs run on the smell of an oily rag thanks to the volunteers, but there’s always something that needs more than good will or a positive attitude to get done.
So enter the fundraiser.
No matter what it is though, a raffle or event, there’s always a lot of work involved organising it, selling the tickets and then cleaning up.
More worryingly, these causes all need our support to work – that means people putting their hands in their pocket to pay.
For a small regional centre like Cootamundra, it’s hard to say no to people spending hours of their day selling the tickets.
At the same time, no one has a money tree in their backyard and for many families it’s hard to find money to put food on the table, especially when jobs get thin on the ground.
It means clubs and groups have to think outside the box so they can continue their good work supporting those less fortunate or providing a sport for residents to play.
Thinking outside that box is what the Cootamundra Soccer Club did when they created their Boots ‘n’ All BnS Ball all those years ago.
This year there was one night of theatrics, which the club had prepared for by organising security and working with the police. There would have been a few children and adults struggling to get a night’s shuteye with the event raging on during the Easter long weekend, but it’s not a weekly or even monthly inconvenience.
Importantly, it means the club doesn’t have to run umpteen raffles during the year to survive.
Not only does the event provide vital funds which supplements their sponsors, it provides another reason for people to visit.
While bottle shops and fuel stations are the mostly likely to benefit, they still employ local people.
In an age where every town is talking about themselves to attract visitors – Cootamundra can do a lot worse than provide the space for the BnS Ball to flourish.
