Gil Kelly, treasurer of the organising committee, said the sold-out event had arisen from conversations between members of Cootamundra’s emergency services, who felt that although they had a good working relationship, they usually only saw each other in what was “not the best circumstances”.

From that casual chat, Mr Kelly said, the decision was made to organise a get-together and that, in turn, became the Cootamundra Combined Emergency Services Ball.

“It was a good excuse for everyone to get dressed up and have a great night out,” he said.

Among the guests at the ball, which this year had a Las Vegas casino theme, were police, ambulance, fire brigade and SES members, along with hospital staff.

Superintendent Bob Noble and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke were also among the guests.

A new feature this year was the presentation of an award in recognition of the efforts of someone who had gone above and beyond in the line of duty.

The winner was Kelly Lawson, a police officer who was assaulted while on the job at Junee.