70s celebration to support non-profits

AN upcoming dinner and dance event is set to transport attendees back to the 1970s while helping to support three non-profits.

Hosted by the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute and Alfredton Rotary members, the ’70s retro dinner dance will present an evening of fun with proceeds to go towards the organising groups and the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children.

“It’ll end Heritage Festival with a bit of a bang,” said Alfredton Rotary member Deb Robertson.

“It’ll start with a complimentary cocktail and then a four-course meal of all ’70s retro recipes.

“There’ll be entertainment with live dancers and everyone can come get their ’70s gear on and boogie the night away.”

Dinner items will include devilled eggs, curried sausages, apricot chicken, vol-au-vents, meat loaf and passion fruit and banana pavlova.

Ms Robertson said the event will support integral services in the community and abroad.

“The Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children is where Rotary brings kids from the pacific areas mostly to Australia and New Zealand so they can have operations they couldn’t have in their home countries,” she said.

“For our end we’ll put the funds into our community projects like our EatUp sandwich program which is supporting 35 schools in Ballarat and surrounds.

“We’ve also got international programs with a container out to Vanuatu and one in Zimbabwe soon.”

Live entertainment will be provided by Fabio Cattafi who’ll bring his Tina Turner Drag Tribute show to the region.

Ms Robertson said the event is an ideal way to see out Heritage Festival.

“The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute are having another event reviving the Vega 70 Cinema that used to be at the BMI,” she said.

“That’s the week before so it sort of ties nicely into that being another 70s thing to look forward to.”

The event will take place at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute from 6pm on Saturday 25 May.

Tickets are $150 per person and $1500 for a table of 10 and can be booked at bit.ly/4dtNr9Y.