Birchip Ready for Mallee Root Roundup B&S Ball

Birchip's population is set to double this weekend, when around 700 young men and women from across regional Australia descend on the town for the annual Mallee Root Roundup Bachelor & Spinster ball.

Taking place at the new purpose built shed at the Birchip Trotting Track, the event is set to benefit the entire town and surrounding communities, as visitors purchase food, fuel and accommodation during the course of the weekend.

Previous ticket profits have also gone back into the town, with donations to various clubs and organisations.

More than $250,000 worth of donations into the Birchip community have been made over the past decade including: a new town BBQ trailer and portable cool room; Play Group equipment; Kindergarten playground; electronic netball scoreboard; a new BBQ shelter and filling of Tchum Lake; Birchip P-12 School athletic track rejuvenation; emergency vehicle shelter and hospitality freezer at the Birchip Hospital, and; cleaning funds for the Birchip Early Learning Centre.

Support from local community groups make the event possible, with Vice President Carly Hemley commenting on the number of volunteers that contribute in many ways.

“The committee certainly values all the people that contribute to a successful event each year, especially volunteers who help to set up, pack down, cook BBQ’s, work behind the bar, take photographs, clean up or donate equipment and time, it is a credit to the vibrant Birchip community," she said.

Entertainment is a major attraction to the event, and this year the B&S committee have secured well known modern country/rock artists Jake Sinclair and the Iain Archibald band to headline.

Local band The Shorts and DJ DiscoGold will enhance the atmosphere with pub classics and new music added to the set list to get revelers dancing.

Tickets are available at the gate, for more information visit the Mallee Root Roundup Facebook page.