Barossa stars get their groove on for charity

“We really wanted to help a local charity and selected BAFFC’s because they support local people and their families who are battling cancer,” Charmaine said.

The first fundraiser of its kind for the region, ‘Stars of the Barossa – Dance for Charity’ has been modelled off other successful events run interstate by the Cancer Council.

“There isn’t an event like this in our region that we’re aware of,” Charmaine said. “So, we’re really hoping to get people behind us and support important local charities like Barossa Area Fundraisers for Cancer and the Cancer Council SA.”

Able to select their own genre, the ‘Stars’ will enlist support from local dance teachers and undertake fundraising of their own, before taking the stage and being judged by other Barossa icons, such as local Member for Schubert, Mrs Ashton Hurn MP.

“The stars will have help from local dance teachers, Simone Minett, Amy Dobbs and Kelsey Craig – they’ll assist with the choreography of their dances and with practice in the lead up to the night,” Charmaine said.

With a star-studded line-up of dancers, which includes the likes of CJ Setlhong from Century 21 at Nuriootpa; Jade and Meagan from Fable and Fig; Jules Maddern, sponsored by Barossa Valley Chocolate Company; Stuart Bourne from Soul Growers; Steve Angel from Décor by Design; Natalie Siegele from Pulp and Thread; Luke Doecke from Saxony Building; Sarah Maguire from Pure Envy Hair and Body; plus, representatives from Chateau Tanunda and Tanunda Football Club – who wouldn’t want to take a stage-side seat?

“We’ve tried to get a wide variety of people from different areas of the Barossa taking part in the event,” Charmaine said.

“We would love, if it’s successful, to keep it going – making it bigger and better each year.”

Leading up to the event and on the night, there will be a variety of raffles, wine walls and auctions – with the goal of raising as much money as possible for the two chosen charities.

“We’ve had some amazing donations coming in for the auctions and raffles, including an Ultimate Tasting Experience from Hentley Farm, Accommodation packages from Hotel Alba Adelaide, Big 4 Holiday Park Renmark, Novotel Barossa and the gorgeous houseboat Cristal Murray River,” Charmaine said.

There will be artwork by Lise Temple, a $500 Barossa Co-op voucher, 40 bottles of gin kindly donated by Seppeltsfield Road Distillers plus other fashion, lifestyle, and restaurant vouchers to be won through the raffles and auction.

Local groups have also come on board and will be holding their own events to help raise funds.

Chateau Tanunda will be holding a cricket day on Australia Day and Barossa Drum and Bass will also be holding an upcoming event!

Establishing the event from the ground up, Charmaine said that it would not be possible without the support of local people and businesses – including major sponsors, The Clubhouse Tanunda, Barossa Maintenance and Chateau Tanunda, as well as Solomons Flooring Barossa Valley, Mikey Burke, SAGE Living & Homewares and Underwood Building.

“It’s definitely going to be a night of fun and entertainment,” Charmaine said.