Broome community unites to support Ukrainian refugees with $9000 raised by one-night event

Broome locals and performers raised more than $9000 for Ukrainian refugees by putting on a night of music and entertainment at the Roebuck Hotel on April 1.

The night saw bands the Sundowners, Puertside, Red Soil Band, the Specs and H.J.S rock out the stage joined by DJ Dr Dim on the decks with all performers donating their time, effort and talent.

Drag queen Jessica James, Broome’s honorary ‘drag mum’, also graced the stage with a hilarious lip sync and comedy routine, tearing into hecklers in the crowd.

Raffle tickets were also available with prizes supplied by Minshull Mechanical Repairs, Repco, Broome Whale Watching, Broome Golf Club, Broome Tours and Bali Hai Resort and Spa.

Milena Balik, the chief organiser for the event, said she couldn’t thank the entertainers and raffle sponsors enough.

“They were all absolutely amazing, they’re all just really easy to get along with and they are all very professional and we had great feedback from them,” she said.

Although the turn out wasn’t quite what she expected Ms Balik said she is still amazed by the community support for the cause.

“We raised $9345 which isn’t as much as we thought but we did enjoy it and we’re happy,” she said.

“I would like to say thank you to every single person that was there, every person that paid to get in, every person that bought a raffle ticket, everyone that was there to support the Ukrainian people.”

All proceeds from door sales, donations and raffle tickets will be going to GlobalGiving’s Ukrainian Crisis Relief Fund.