Inaugural Community Bank Albany All Abilities Ball lights up Retravision Stadium with sold-out crowd

Albany’s inaugural all abilities ball rocked Retravision Stadium on Saturday night, with more than 100 people showing up for the sold-out event in their finest, and dancing long into the night.

The evening kicked off with a sundowner, an addition organisers Brian and Caroll Appleby said was included to allow family members, friends, sponsors, and Albany dignitaries who didn’t snag tickets to the ball an opportunity to see participants in their finery, chat to local families and event sponsors, and of course take some photos as a memento of the special night.

The ball’s 120-ticket capacity sold out weeks in advance, and Retravision Stadium’s function rooms were filled to the brim with participants, support workers and family members.

Mrs Appleby said the husband and wife duo, who have run all abilities music events at Eve Late Night Bar in previous years and were the driving force behind the ball, felt it was important to make everyone feel welcome and safe to come along and enjoy the night.

She said they wanted to expand the event to include the extended local community in the coming years.

“Even people like local doctors and chemists, who see the people in our community on a weekly or daily basis in treatment, but they don’t see them in environments like this where they’re letting their hair down and having fun in a really normal way,” she said.

“It really does take a village, not just to raise children but to support our elderly, support our disabled community.

“It’s great to see something like this that’s so positive and we’re just so grateful to the community and everyone who chose to sponsor the event.”

Ball-goers enjoyed a two-course dinner, with desserts and a chocolate fountain to follow.

DJ Lima Brightlove kept the crowd dancing all through the night, and Mr Appleby said the vibes were so high many participants danced their way through the dinner service as well.

An All Abilities Ball King and Queen were crowned midway through the night, with Amanda Booth crowned as Queen and and Liam Whatmore as the King.

The pair were both were presented with a sash and crown to wear throughout the night.

“There was lots of dancing, lots of laughs, lots of photos, there were some people even being lifted out of their wheelchairs so they could join the dancing,” Mr Appleby said.

“We can’t wait for next year!”