- Proudly part of Ballina’s ANZAC day services
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Date Posted: Fri, 25 Apr 2025
We’re proud to support our community’s ANZAC day commemorations. After an early start for the dawn service, many stayed on at the RSL for breakfast before taking to the risers again for the main service. The rain managed to stay away almost till the end of proceedings but not quite.
- What else could we do?
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Date Posted: Thu, 24 Apr 2025
Setting up the sound system for ANZAC day is one thing but it’s important to make sure it works. When we were asked to help, small group of Headliners popped in the day before the service to sing so the techies check that everything was working as it should.
- Singing out for our community at TUF
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Date Posted: Mon, 14 Apr 2025
Doing what we love best AND raising money for a good cause. How could we not enjoy singing at Tintenbar Up Front’s April open mic event for an appreciative audience. Money raised from entry fees went to Dementia Inclusive, Ballina. Bonus points for bringing some of our audience to tears singing The Parting Glass.
- Time to Shine
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Date Posted: Mon, 14 Apr 2025
We wowed the audience at Ballina’s Seniors Week celebration, Time to Shine. The event was a sell out featuring a variety of entertainers. We had very positive feedback from members of the audience, some saying we had brought them to (happy) tears.
- ANZAC poppies
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Date Posted: Sun, 13 Apr 2025
In the lead up to ANZAC day, we are happy to support the RSL raising money for Legacy by selling handmade poppies. They hope to sell enough cover the big letters by ANZAC day.
- And then there were 8!
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Date Posted: Mon, 7 Apr 2025
We all get a thrill when some of our own members step up to sing for us. This time an Octet including some of our newest members who were brave enough to step forward.
- So much to learn!
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Date Posted: Mon, 31 Mar 2025
We’ve been lucky to have an exciting weekend with with Sweet Adelines Australia coach, Bec Hewitt. She helped us add new layers to new songs, polish up old ones and learn new skills we can use in all our songs. Thanks, Bec.
- The 1st new members for 2025!
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Date Posted: Sun, 30 Mar 2025
We love to have new members join the Headliners. Welcome Susie and welcome back Marg.
- Singing together for 10 years
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Date Posted: Tue, 11 Feb 2025
Cheered on by the rest of the chorus, Tracey and Lucy were presented with certificates and 10-year anniversary pins at our rehearsal last night. We like to mark the milestones of our members.
- That’s a wrap for 2024!
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Date Posted: Fri, 27 Dec 2024
Christmas carols and more Christmas carols! Christmas Eve saw us roving through the Ballina RSL singing short brackets of carols upstairs, downstairs and in the foyer. A few patrons enjoyed it so much they followed from spot to spot. Next it was on to the Saltbush Bar and Grill to entertain diners enjoying good food by the river on a glorious summer’s evening.
- One of a kind
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Date Posted: Tue, 17 Dec 2024
Each year members are asked to choose a member who has made our chorus an extra special place to be.
This year, Lynn is our Sweet Adeline of the Year. Lynn is one of the stalwarts of our chorus. She has been a dedicated member for at least 25 years, being one of the very early members before we chartered. She is generous with her time, her encouragement and her kind words.
- Party time!
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Date Posted: Mon, 16 Dec 2024
Christmas time. A time to celebrate, a time to sing and a time to be entertained by our own.
After having our fill of Christmas fare and chatter, we were entertained by not one, not two, but FOUR groups of our very own members plus one solo who had secretly prepared songs for our entertainment. To top it off the performances were emceed by another of our own with a fine line of repartee.
- 3 in a row
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Date Posted: Sun, 15 Dec 2024
Just 2 weeks before Christmas, we were out three days in a row to bring Christmas cheer to three very different audiences.
We entertained the ladies of the Ballina View Club at their Christmas dinner meeting and took our Christmas repertoire to the Lighthouse Club Christmas lunch the next day. We finished the week on the big stage at the Carols on the Plateau at Alstonville’s Elizabeth Ann Brown Park.
- A busy night
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Date Posted: Sat, 14 Dec 2024
Our calendar can get pretty full at Christmas time. Two very different performances on one night saw us start the night at Crowley and end up at Seven Mile Brewery. Residents gathered in the grounds of Crowley to enjoy a program of Christmas favourites. Then it was off to the brewery to farewell one of our most ardent supporters, retiring RSL Club CEO, Bill Coulter.
- An all-star cast!
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Date Posted: Fri, 13 Dec 2024
The Stars of Ballina Shire Dance for Cancer fundraiser was a huge success. To set the scene for the contest, we primed the audience with 2 of our favourite songs: Blame it on the Boogie (to get their toes tapping) and A Million Dreams (to encourage contestants and the audience to dream big for a better world). Our very own Music Director, Cathy, was one of the 3 judges given the job of deciding the winners. 
- Lest We Forget
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Date Posted: Wed, 20 Nov 2024
We were proud to join our community and Ballina RSL on November 11 to honour the courage and sacrifice of all the soldiers, sailor and airmen who have defended our country in times of war. We led the crowd in the traditional songs that are so much a part of Remembrance Day services.
- The Joy of Music
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Date Posted: Fri, 15 Nov 2024
We shared the joy of music with the Lighthouse Club at their lunch in early November. We sang a some of our upbeat songs as well as a some of our Remembrance Day repertoire.
- IN THE PINK!
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Date Posted: Sat, 9 Nov 2024
There’s nothing pinker than a room full of women acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness month.
For Pink Night even those who don’t wear pink set aside their usual preferences and put on something pink. Members had fun poring through others’ cast offs and making donations to take their finds home. All the proceeds have gone to the McGrath Foundation.
With several members being breast cancer survivors, we also acknowledged 2 of our Rainbow Dragons Abreast paddlers, Juliette and Mel, for their most recent successes with the Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club.
- Off and running!
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Date Posted: Sat, 26 Oct 2024
Hot on the heels of our sell-out ABBAsolutley Fabulous Broadway Show we’re off and running with a busy program of community performances in Ballina and Alstonville until Christmas. First cab off the rank was a performance for the Ballina RSL Lifecare residents.
We love to sing for our community but most of all we love to give joy to our audiences and put smiles on faces..
- It's Confirmed - An Abbasolutely Fabulous Broadway Show!
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Date Posted: Mon, 16 Sep 2024
In September 2024, the Headliners came together to put on an Abbasolutely Fabulous Broadway Show! With dazzling costumes and beautiful harmonies, they lit up the stage, delivering unforgettable renditions of classic Broadway and ABBA hits.
They joy and energy they poured into every performance were met with enthusiastic applause, creating a magical connection between the singers and the audience.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful community for your support - we couldn't do what we love without you!
- ABBAsolutley Fabulous Broadway Show - GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
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Date Posted: Sun, 28 Jul 2024
THE ABBASOLUTELY FABULOUS BROADWAY SHOW
IS COMING TO THE BALLINA RSL ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2024GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!
Looking for an ABBAsolutely Fabulous night out?
Get your tickets now at the Ballina RSL, follow this link:
https://ballinarsl.com.au/event/abba-solutely-fabulous-broadway-show/
- HEADLINERS CHORUS HIT A MILESTONE
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Date Posted: Sun, 28 Jul 2024
After a few months hiatus the Headliners Chorus are very happy to announce that we are back performing for the Community. We spent the time welcoming 10 new ladies to the chorus and learning new repertoire and Director, Cath Gordon, is extremely happy with the results.
We recently sang at the Ballina RSL Anzac Day Dawn Service and again at the Cenotaph for the Day Service and it was a great honour for us all to be part of this. We also sang at the Lighthouse Club in the Richmond Room and were delighted to be invited back to sing later in the year.
Recently the chorus hit a milestone and celebrated its 20th Anniversary as a chartered SAI (Sweet Adelines International) chorus. To mark the occasion one of our ladies took on the task of making a book to capture the memories and the journey of the chorus to its present state. The book launch was a celebration for past and present members, and we were delighted when our Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader, joined us for champagne at the RSL for the book launch.
Julia Murphy has done a wonderful job and managed to capture the essence of the chorus from its inauguration to the present with beautiful photos and snippets which have been collated and remind us all of the wonderful experiences we have shared over the years. It has already sold out its first edition and been reordered. Go Julia!!!!!
At an open rehearsal in May we were visited by the students of St Josephs Primary School Alstonville and they joined us in our warm ups and in singing “A Million Dreams”, a song both chorus and choir were learning and it was an experience which gave great delight to all concerned.
Our own concert on 14th September in the Ballina RSL will be a bobby dazzler and we are excited to be once again putting on a BIG show for the community. It will be our first one since COVID so save the date.
- Headliners Sweet Adeline of the Year 2024
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Date Posted: Sat, 10 Feb 2024
How fantastic is it to see five of our dedicated Headliners nominated for Headliners Swee Adeline of the Year 2024 award - Lucy, Cath, Carol, Paola and Tracey.
And the winner is..... Lucy....
Congratulations Lucy and well deserved!
- Christmas 2023 - it's a wrap!
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Date Posted: Fri, 29 Dec 2023
Christmas is always such a wonderful time of year and is when the Headliners shine the brightest. What a fabulous Christmas 2023 it has been for the Headliners being able to be back out in the community singing those wonderful Carols. December 4th - Christmas Open Rehearsal
The Headliners love singing for their family and friends so we opened our last rehearsal of the year to bring some Christmas cheer. There was lots of music, fun, laughter, and, of course, the raffle! Thank you for your continuous support and for sharing in such a magic evening.
December 4th - 'Shimmer and Sometimes 7' performed for residents of St Andrew's Nursing Home at their Christmas Lunch.
December 7th - Bunnings Community Christmas Event
The Headliners were able to do some 'round the store' Christmas Carolling at Bunnings. "It's not quite the same same as standing in the snow on the corner of the high street in a quiet country UK village", one of our UK singers recounted but it was still lots of fun surprising the unsuspecting Bunnings customers as they walked around a corner to find us singing.
December 11th - Headliners Christmas Party
What a fabulous way to end the year, spending an evening with our Headliner family celebrating the festive season. There was fabulous food, a good group sing and some cheeky quartetness!
Deceber 14th - Ballina Shire Council - December Meeting
The Headliners had the pleasure of singing the National Anthem at the start of the Ballina Shire's December 2023 meeting, and we sneaked in a cheeky 'First Noel', as we were already there!!
December 16th - Ballina RSL Sub-Branch Christmas Party
There's nothing like a surprise sing and the president of the Ballins RSL Sub-Branch was very surprised, and grateful for the Headliners turning up and putting on a show for their Christmas Party lunch.
December 18th - Crowley Care Christmas Party
The Headliners love to share their performances with the community and especially with the deserving residents and staff of Crowley Care.
December 19th - Bangalow Uniting Church - Christmas Tree Festival
This is definitely a chorus favourite, the venue is the most beautiful small church with such lovely acoustics.
December 24th - Christmas Eve at the Ballina RSL
Some more carolling fun with unsuspecting patrons and staff. What a magic way to spend a Christmas Eve than listneing to others join with us in those fabulous Carols.
Christmas 2023 - It's a wrap!
- Hard to keep up in 2023!
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Date Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023
Following on from an extremely successful recruitment drive, you would have seen in our earlier news items that the Headliners has now grown from 30 members to its largest-ever membership of 40 Headliners. Wow, what a fabulous year we have had.
On top of that, in the last few months, the Headliners have been busy with differing events:- At our August 21st rehearsal we have the privilege of having Mia from Love Notes Quartet visit and coach us for the evening.
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- To top the evening off, Ballina Shire’s Mayor, Sharon Caldwalder, also made a visit, and we were able to say thank you for our new risers following a successful submission by Sharon for funding for the new risers after ours were damaged beyond repair in the 2020 floods.
- August 25th the ‘3 Nice Girls’ quartet got their first public gig at Rous Unplugged. There were a few of the Headliners there to support them, and they, too, got a chance to get in on the act.
- September 3rd the ‘3 Nice Girls’ had success at this year’s Lismore Eisteddfod by taking out first place! They are pretty awesome, even if we say so ourselves! Well done, ladies, and well deserved.
- October 15 – Grandma’s 98th birthday event on the Tweed River. How lucky are we, not only did we get to sing for one of our member's Grandma’s 98th birthday, we also got to join the party, on a boat on the Tweed River on a most glorious morning. Trying to sing on a two-levelled boat with the breeze blowing and people everywhere, we love a good challenge, and what a success it was.
- And 2 more makes 10 new members this year!
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Date Posted: Mon, 6 Nov 2023
Welcome to our two newest members Kate and Carole. 
Headliners has grown by 25% over the past few months with ten new members joining the chorus. We are beyond excited to be welcoming you all and sharing the joy of singing together in this wonderful group of women.
- Become a Headliner
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Date Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023
Thanks to our Publicity Manager Judi, the Headliners found themselves in the local rag recently - the article explains how to become a Headliner, come on you know you want to!
- Headliners Turn 20!
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Date Posted: Thu, 12 Oct 2023
What a fabulous achievement, the Headliners have turned 20 and are still going strong with one existing member still singing (and keeps us on the straight and narrow).
Members past and present had a magic night, some wearing costumes from over the years and of course there was plenty of bling all round. We mingled, reminisced, and heard stories that would make your hair curl! What fun the Headliners have had over the years and continue to have every day.
Gwen provided us with an entertaining blast from the past recapping some of the mischief the Headliners have got up to over the years.
Claire, our ever supportive and helpful RSL representative, was made an honorary member of the Chorus. Those Headliner pins are not given out to just anyone!
Lyn our oldest serving member and Carol our newest member did the honours of cutting the beautiful cake.
The night ended with a good old sing song (of course), you could see those memory banks churning when they pulled out some of the old tunes.And a big shout out to the RSL for providing the cake and drinks so that we could celebrate in style.
- Ballina RSL Celebrates the 2023 ‘Community Outreach Initiative’ recipients
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Date Posted: Thu, 21 Sep 2023
Ballina RSL Club recently hosted an evening to celebrate the 2023 ‘Community Outreach Initiative’ recipients. Cath, our amazing Musical Director, attended and received an award, on behalf of the chorus, The award was presented to the Headliners Chorus in recognition of the exceptional service we provided to the community.
- Rotary – Annual Change Over Lunch
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Date Posted: Wed, 20 Sep 2023
The Headliners where honoured to be invited, by Rotary Ballina-on-Richmond, to perform at this year’s recent Annual Change Over Lunch.
- And four more!
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Date Posted: Tue, 19 Sep 2023
How lucky are we Headliners as we offer a big welcome to our four new members Rachel - tenor, Carmel - baritone, Kerrie- bass and Robyn - baritone.
We are so excited to welcome so many new members over the past few months!
Congratulations to you all and welcome to our chorus 👏🏻🎶🎶🎵🎵
Ballina RSL Club
Headliners Chorus
- Three New Members
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Date Posted: Mon, 4 Sep 2023
Welcome to our three newest members, Tina (Bari), Sally (Lead), and Helena (Bari).
We are so excited to have you onboard!
- Oh, What A Night! at Rous Unplugged
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Date Posted: Sun, 28 May 2023
Celebrating their 100th event, Rous Unplugged hosted an All-Stars event with all varieties of acts but professional and semi-professional. Rous Unplugged supports the Sierra Leone Educational Charity.
The Headliners happily provided their donation in supporting this charity in an act comprising of: Count on Me, December ’63 (Oh, What a Night), Anthem, Do You Hear The People Sing and The Parting Glass.
- Headliners Entertain In Brisbane At The 2023 National Convention
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Date Posted: Sat, 6 May 2023
“Ladies and gentlemen, close the doors and take your seats. Next, we have Chorus number 11, led by the most talented Cathy Gordon from Ballina New South Wales, the Headliners.”
The lights come up, the glitter sparkles and the Headliners break into their entertaining and unique version, adapted by non-other than our very own Cathy Gordon, of “If I Give My Heart To Shoes”, though you might know it as “If I Give My Heart To You”.
The crowd are surprised, they are laughing, they are engaged, we have done all we set out to do, but wait there’s more. It’s time to get up of the couch and step outside our comfort zone, take a new step and seize the day which each and every Chorus member did, and we all enjoyed every minute of it.
To hear and see the Headliners at this years Sweet Adeline’s Australian National Convention, “Rise and Shine” held in Brisbane click here to view their outstanding performance.
Headliners - Sweet Adelines Region 34 - 2023 Chorus Entry
(Forward to 2hrs 51mins)
Competition Winners
We extend our Congratulations to the Skylarks Quartet and Endeavour Harmony Chorus the winners of Region 34 Competition 2023.
- Double Wow! 20 years!
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Date Posted: Mon, 1 May 2023
Congratulations to 9 of our amazing members Narelle, Narelle, Sue, Paola, Lynn, Cathy, Jan, Suzanne, and Susan on celebrating 20 years with the Chorus and they are still smiling! 
- New Term, New Team!
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Date Posted: Sun, 30 Apr 2023
It is with great thanks we celebrate the dedication of our outstanding members that make up our outgoing Management Team. We would be lost without them.
Thank you for your time, energy and enthusiasm in keeping our chorus on track.
And now we welcome, with forward thanks, our new and returning members of this year’s Management Team.Thank you for taking on these roles and for keeping us in ship shape!Office Bearers
Team Coordinator Ingrid
Communications Coordinator Sharon
Treasurer Kay
Assistant Finance Coordinator Christine
Membership Coordinator Tracey
Performance Coordinator Outgoing - Paola, Incoming - Jill
Publicity Coordinator Judi
General member Susie
Appointment of Director
Music Director Cathy
Director Nominated Positions
Director's Assistants Team Sue and Margot
Librarian Lynn
Copyright Kerry
Historian / Tech Resources Marg
Showmanship Team Suzanne, Christine, Juliette and Jan
Visual Team Tracey, Julia and Susan
Music Committee
Section Leaders Kerry, Narelle, Margot, Jan, Mel and Julie
Assistant Section Leaders Tracey, Paola, Christine and Sharon
- Anzac Day 2023 Special Performance
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Date Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023
What a beautiful start to any morning, singing in memory of our fallen comrades, ‘Lest We Forget’.This was the first year the Headliners have had the opportunity to sing at the Ballina RSL sub-Branch Anzac dawn and commemoration services, and what a true honour it was.
Image provided by RSL Ballina
- Headliners Sweet Adeline of the Year 2023
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Date Posted: Tue, 4 Apr 2023
How fantastic was it to see four of our dedicated members nominated for this year’s Sweet Adeline of the Year award - Susan, Kay, Wendy, and Tracey.
And the winner is……Susan….
Susan has been a member of our chorus for 20 years. She sings Lead and is a member of the Visual Team.
Susan has donated innumerable hours over many years to building, painting, and sewing for us, with fabulous results. She has provided us with many things that keep our image elevated in our community. Her sense of style is invaluable.
She has created brilliant set designs and props, made our silk scarves and capes, assembled decorations for our performances, and sewn exquisite gifts for our coaches. Our costumes and accessories come alive with her efforts.
Susan’s dedication is also demonstrated by her consistent attendance at rehearsals despite arduous travel conditions.
Susan’s contribution to our chorus over many years has earned her this year’s Sweet Adeline of the Year award.Thank you for all that you do!
- Oh Wow, 10 Years!
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Date Posted: Mon, 3 Apr 2023
Congratulations to 5 of our amazing members Jill, Kay, Jan, Ingrid, and Kate on celebrating 10 years with the Headliners and what fun they’ve had!
- Back at Bunnings
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Date Posted: Sat, 18 Mar 2023
Fabulous work team! Our latest Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Ballina was co-hosted with Ballina’s Dragon Boat team ‘Ballina Dragons’. Unfortunately, it was not just the sausage that were sizzling. However, the team did a wonderful job and returned with a handsome profit making it a worthwhile day.
Proceeds will help support the Headliners in their trek to this year’s Sweet Adelines convention in May. Thank you, Bunnings Ballina and Ballina Dragons, for supporting us on our journey to Brisbane for the convention, and a massive thank you to our amazing volunteers and plentiful hungry customers.
- Welcome to New Member Carol
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Date Posted: Mon, 13 Mar 2023
Welcome to our, first in a while, newest member. We are looking forward to you joining our Baritone Section and we can already see that your passion and cheekiness will be a great asset to the chorus.
- Missingham Park - Flood Commemoration Event
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Date Posted: Tue, 7 Mar 2023Now that the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have eased, the Headliners were delighted to warm up their voices and get back out into the community. What better way to start than in supporting Ballina Shire Council’s Flood Commemoration event at the recent ‘Mayor’s Morning Tea’.
This wonderful community event was held at Missingham Park where the Headliners provided live music alongside free kids face painting, coffee, doughnuts and ice cream.
Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallder’s spoke of how ‘[she] thought it was important to provide an opportunity for a relaxed gathering, where together we can reflect on all that has passed and build strength as we look ahead; at what still needs to be done in our community, as we continue to recover’.
It was magic to share in this celebration and support the community in this event.
