Busselton will host its first ever Deadly Moonlight Ball bringing Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people together to celebrate NAIDOC Week on Saturday July 13.
The ball is the idea of Busselton Indigenous women Jemma and Tracy Weston who were keen to organise a special occasion which would bring all members of the community together.
The Westons have worked in partnership with the City of Busselton, Pindari WA, Rio Tinto, Happs and Margaret River Food to host this inaugural event.
Jemma Weston said she wanted the community to come together, to embrace individuality and respect and support one another.
"The City of Bunbury have a NAIDOC week ball and I thought we are a City now, we should have one too. It is something I've been wanting to do for a couple of years now," she said.
"NAIDOC Week has always been important but it is becoming more widely celebrated and embraced by all people.
"NAIDOC celebrates our stories and our culture and this is very important especially for the young people who really look forward to it."
"It's going to be a lot of fun and you can come dressed in your own interpretation of glamour."
Rio Tinto community engagement officer Justin Francesconi said a lot of people have gone to a lot of work to make this happen and Rio Tinto was a very proud supporter.
"I am really hoping the community gets behind Busselton's first NAIDOC Ball and that the event is a huge success," he said.
City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said this new event was certainly one worth supporting.
"The entertainment line-up is excellent, the theme looks like a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to trying some bush-tucker finger food," he said.
Pindari WA executive director Natalie Venosi said Pindari WA has been supporting Ingenious people in the employment sector for more than 10 years through its links to building and maintenance in the Pilbara and South-West.
"We're thrilled to see the concept of a NAIDOC Ball come to fruition, I think it's a great idea," she said.
This event is for everyone, it is a celebration of community, history, culture, achievements of Aboriginal people and to have a great fun evening.
Tickets to the 18 plus event are $50 each which includes a complementary drink on arrival. There will be a cash bar (being run by volunteers from the Busselton Masters Football Club) and a wonderful line-up of entertainment featuring Deadly Djindas, Mr and Mrs Smith Quintet and DJ Mandy.
Tickets can be purchased at the City of Busselton's Customer Service Centre or online at eventbrite.com.au.
