Many of the 300 people present took to the dance floor following the lifting of many social distancing and public health restrictions.

The ball itself was called off last year due to the pandemic but it returned in style at the Orange Ex-Services' Club for 2021.

Housing Plus fundraising and events co-ordinator Rochelle Monaghan said about $80,000 was raised through auctions, ticket sales, sponsorships and raffles.

"That was our most successful [ball]," she said.

Mrs Monaghan said the money would help support women and children at The Orchard, Orange's domestic violence refuge.

She said COVID rules still required organisers to limit numbers but otherwise the ball was back to its normal situation.

The Central Western Daily and Grounded Electrical Orange were the event partners.

Mrs Monaghan said the ball was well supported by the people of Orange.

She said about 100 businesses and individuals had donated items to be raffled or auctioned.

"We'd like to thank the community for its support of the White Tie Ball and The Orchard," she said.

Toy bears were placed on each table with requests from Housing Plus that people take them on trips and send happy snaps of the bears to the organisation.

Comedian Peter Berner was the MC for the evening, supported by another comedian Chris Ryan.

A popular highlight of the evening was the 'lucky envelope' prize which had people rushing across the dance floor to score a prize.

Mrs Monaghan said the 300 tickets for the ball had sold out in a matter of days of going on sale in late March.

The Orchard began taking people in February.

Housing Plus Head of Community Services, Penny Dordoy said they were "thrilled" that it had opened to support women and children.

"The on-going fundraising will help us to provide additional resources and support for clients to achieve their goals and thrive in the community" she said.

Chair of The Orchard's fundraising committee Julianne Potts said the ball helped celebrate the completion of the centre.

"It has been a long journey, and thanks to the support of the Orange community and Housing Plus, women and children now have a safe place to stay when they are escaping domestic violence," she said.

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