Hastings + Hinterland Town & Country Ball
Hastings Hotel Reflects on the Success of the Hastings + Hinterland Town & Country Ball
On Saturday, 20 September, the Wauchope Showground was alive with music, laughter, and generosity as the inaugural Hastings + Hinterland Town & Country Ball brought our region together in true country spirit. Hastings Hotel, as part of Flower Hotels, was proud to stand alongside local businesses, volunteers, and community members in support of our farmers and primary producers.
As a proud sponsor of the Ball, Hastings Hotel had the privilege of running the bar and supporting an incredible cause. With the help of Carlton & United Breweries supplying the Great Northern beers and Angove Winemakers providing the wines, we kept glasses full while the community came together for a night to remember.
The Ball wasn’t just about dancing and good food — it was about making a difference for families who have faced floods, fires, and drought in recent years. Thanks to auctions, raffles, donations and bar sales, the event raised over $80,000 for local relief, with every dollar going directly back to our farmers, primary producers, and small agri-businesses across the Hastings.
One guest summed it up perfectly: “It was more than a fundraiser — it felt like the whole community came together for a cause that touches us all.”
For us at Flower Hotels, it was a privilege to contribute. “We’re proud to have stood alongside so many local businesses and community members in support of those who feed our region. The generosity on the night was inspiring,” said the Hastings Hotel team.
The Wauchope Chamber of Commerce deserves enormous thanks for their vision and hard work in organising such a successful event, and for overseeing the relief fund that will now deliver micro-grants of up to $5,000 directly to those in need. As the Chamber put it: “This fund is about locals helping locals.”
Looking back, we feel humbled to have been part of such an impactful evening. Hospitality, at its heart, is about people, connection, and lifting each other up — and the Town & Country Ball reminded us just how strong our region can be when we do exactly that.
We look forward to what comes next—seeing those micro-grants in action, hearing stories of relief and recovery, and (hopefully) dusting off our boots for a second Ball.
