The 2026 Bengalla Upper Hunter Rescue Ball brought together a mining community that knows firsthand how crucial it is to help support the lifesaving work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The Singleton community dug deep at this year’s event at the Singleton Civic Centre, raising $70,000 to help ensure the Service’s sustainability, growth and standards of excellence, for when someone experiences their worst day and needs life saving medical care.
Regional Partnerships Officer Norma Burri said the event brought together people from across the community for a fantastic evening of connection, generosity and support.
“It was a great opportunity to acknowledge the vital service that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter offers our community and recognise the people and organisations that make the Upper Hunter such a strong and supportive community.
“A very special thank you must go to our event naming sponsor Bengalla, for their outstanding support of the Upper Hunter Ball, as well as all the sponsors and attendees for getting behind the event and helping us create such a wonderful evening. Their generosity goes beyond financial support, it demonstrates the incredible strength, generosity and community spirit of the region.”
There was a touch of magic about the evening, with magician Will Dare dazzling the audience with some up close magic, and a troupe of Brazilian dancers and drummers bringing the tropical nights theme to life.
“I hope everyone who attended the Upper Hunter Ball left the evening feeling connected, inspired and proud to be part of such a remarkable community, that supports such a vital Service as ours,” Norma said.
“Most importantly, I hope they enjoyed their night and know that when our community comes together, we can make a real and lasting difference.
“Nights like the Upper Hunter Ball mean so much to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The room was full of supportive businesses and wonderful people who make the Upper Hunter such a generous and supportive community,” she said.
“Fundraising stays local and is invested in the facilities, training, equipment, people and technologies that are a part of the missions we fly. It’s the incredible people who make this region so special.”
Operations Manager Jessica Gregory echoed Norma’s words in her speech on the evening and said something that resonated with every local: “where you live should never determine whether you live” and that’s why the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is so critical to the region.
