The Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) is holding their first major event on Saturday with their Close the Gap Ball at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club.
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The Ball is to promote closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and to raise money for OAMS, and will include traditional Indigenous dancing and music.
Wiradjuri man and former NRL player Joe Williams, who has done work as an advocate for mental illness in Indigenous communities, will be the guest speaker.
Over 150 tickets have been sold, and OAMS hopes will help raise $50,000 for the year, which will go towards phase three of their Health and Wellbeing program, which will help provide counselling, rehabilitation and physiotherapy for victims of trauma.
There will be a traditional band and traditional dances while art from local artists has been donated for a silent auction, including artwork from local artists, decorated emu eggs and didgeridoos will also be on sale.
Five sponsors have jumped onboard with the ball, Anglicare Life Without Barriers, Imaging Health, Inland Tech and Whittaker Contractors.
Research officer at the Orange Aboriginal Medical Centre and chairwoman of the OAMS Cultural Committee Zoe Byrne said the centre was “excited” for the ball.
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
