The annual Mallee Root Round Up B’n’S Ball brought rural spirit and good fun to the fore this past weekend, drawing 637 attendees from across Victoria to the Birchip Trotting Track. 

With an exuberant crowd, fantastic music and plenty of country hospitality and camaraderie, this year's event was a resounding success, raising $100,000 in ticket and merchandise sales.

The utes adorned with large aerials, bull bars, spotlights, flags, mudflaps, and cheeky bumper stickers began arriving on Friday. These utes are not just transportation, they are home for the weekend and a big part of the B’n’S culture. 

Throughout the weekend the back of the utes were filled with camping gear, eskies and friends, all piled in to enjoy the campground shenanigans which is a fun forerunner to the event. 

Stalls
There was merchandise mania when the stalls opened Saturday afternoon, with the hoodies, t-shirts and towelling hats selling out in 52 minutes! Attendees were even happy to purchase previous year’s merchandise stored in the on-site shipping containers, which was a bonus for the committee. Due to the high demand for merchandise the committee will be making more and they will be available for purchase on the Mallee Root Round Up Facebook page.

Performances
Once inside the large shed, the entertainment lineup lit up the stage, featuring performances by “Cush Ryder”, “No Plans”, and the evergreen “Disco Gold” who know all the right tunes to spin to keep country ball goers entertained.

The headline bands had the crowd on their feet, dancing and singing along from the start to the finish of their sets, keeping the atmosphere electric and the energy high throughout the night.

Attendees had donned their best B’n’S attire, accessorised with the classic Akubra hats and other traditional accessories and ear tags, but by night’s end, their outfits were looking worse for wear, and very brightly coloured with the food dye synonymous with the ball scene. 

Highlights
The event truly captured the essence of rural Australian fun, complete with hearty meals of roast beef or turkey and gravy rolls, alongside a classic barbecue. The Mallee Root Round Up’s culinary offerings, including a bacon and egg breakfast, are one of the many highlights of Birchip’s Ball which add to the overall country experience.

President Carly Hemley, vice-president Matt Ryan, secretary Kelsey Taylor, and treasurer Jayden Noonan were justifiably beaming with pride over the success of the evening. They were thrilled with the behaviour of the crowd, and the security team was equally pleased with how smoothly the night went. 

Carly said, “We are so grateful for the continued support we receive from local clubs, businesses, and individuals, without whom the event wouldn’t be possible.”

“It’s too hard to name everyone individually, but their support is crucial, and we can’t thank them enough. From donating equipment to volunteering time, this event is a community effort from start to finish,” Carly said.

The committee takes great pride in ensuring that all supplies, from the food and alcohol to the merchandise, are  purchased locally. This commitment not only boosts the local economy, but it has a positive ripple effect, with attendees also supporting businesses in the area throughout the weekend

“It’s amazing to see how the community comes together,” Carly added. “The incentive behind this ball is always community betterment, and seeing how everyone works so hard to make it happen is truly special.”

Looking Ahead
As another successful Mallee Root Round Up comes to a close, the committee is already looking ahead to next year, inspired by the turnout and community spirit. With such strong support from both attendees and local contributors, this beloved event will undoubtedly continue to shine, bringing country fun, music, and merriment to the region.

Congratulations to Carly and the large Mallee Root Round Up committee.