Every year the Ballarat and District Trotting Club (BDTC) host their annual “Girls Night Out”, raising funds for a nominated charity that the club and specifically the guests each year identify with, sometimes on a very personal note.

In 2018 the BDTC raised $20,000 for “Love Your Sister” in 2019 they raised $12,500 for The Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and finally the 2020 iteration which had been postponed in 2020 and then again in 2021 due to COVID 19 restrictions and closures. On March the 17th this year the “Girl Night Out” resurfaced supporting “Dolly’s Dream.” https://dollysdream.org.au/

The night would normally expect an audience of 350 enthusiastic people but with date changes and isolation rules, and last minute “close contact” withdrawals, the BDTC went ahead with 220 attendees.
Given Dolly’s Dream was formed to create awareness around the repercussions of bullying and the signs to look out for within a school environment, the BDTC thought it fitting to make a special presentation of $500 to the Ballarat and District Suicide Awareness Network on the night.

With a night of Harness Racing together with gift bags for everyone and a photo booth for friends to share, the evening was always going to be a success. Club suppliers and local businesses donated vouchers and goods towards a live auction, silent auction and 30 raffle prizes each worth between $50 to $300.

Rebecca Bell, manager of the venue added “Given the tough two years just past, we were overwhelmed with the support from local businesses to get behind the cause and the enthusiasm and generosity of the audience. These nights are a real team effort, all the staff participate and help source the donations, everyone seems to know someone who knows someone else that they can approach for donations – that’s the joy of being involved in a community club.”

The end result was a whopping $13,000 raised and donated to Dolly’s Dream. What a credit to this fine local club and let’s trust that next year it’s a full house with COVID becoming just a memory.