The local area has thrown its support behind Pink Up Namoi throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The McGrath Foundation fundraiser will reach its peak with the Pink Street Dinner Party this Saturday.

Just days away and fully sold out, 300 guests and a suite of committee helpers are gearing up for a night of fun, friends and fundraising.

Doors open for the event at 5pm, with two entry points available to attendees – one on Doyle Street near the Post Office, the other on the western side of the main street near the pedestrian crossing.

The original opening time of 6pm has been bought forward an hour due to daylight saving.

The bar will be open and a band playing to welcome guests, from 5pm.

On-street parking is available as usual, except between Doyle and Dewhurst on Maitland Street, which will be blocked off from 1pm to midnight.

A range of guest speakers will be presenting on the night, including McGrath Foundation CEO Tracey Bevan.

Her presentation will be done virtually, as she’s unable to leave the Greater Sydney area due to COVID restrictions.

It can be watched live via Zoom, for anyone unable to attend but interested in tuning in.

Scan the QR code for her 6.45pm speech, using the password 670406 to enter the meeting, any time after 6.30pm on Saturday, October 23.

Other guest speakers include Narrabri Shire mayor Cr Ron Campbell, local indigenous elder Les Knox, Rotary Club of Narrabri president Darrell Tiemens, Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart, breast cancer survivor and event organiser Dr Karen Kirkby and Dr Oliver Knox from University of New England as the MC.

The monster raffle, set to be drawn on Saturday night, features 30 individual prize packs donated by local businesses and people.

With tickets sold across the shire in the weeks leading up to the street party, and only 30 tables available at the event, organisers have decided to keep the raffle open to everyone.

“So, even if you aren’t there on the night, you can still win a prize,” Dr Kirkby, said.

“We want to encourage as many people to participate as possible, whether or not they will be there on Saturday.”

The custom pink blush Brumby II Toolbox, valued at $1150, will go to the first ticket drawn, with other prizes to follow subsequently.

Tickets for the monster raffle will be on sale until noon Friday, October 22.

There’ll be plenty more opportunities to take home other goodies on the night, including 18 lucky door prizes up for grabs and a public auction.

And, if you miss out on those opportunities, there’s still the nation-wide McGrath Foundation outback raffle (more to come on this in a future edition), the Faber’s Jackaroo toolbox draw (which can be entered by anyone, anywhere in Australia) and another raffle at the Pink Up Your Pooch fundraiser, set to take place in Narrabri later this year.

In addition to the lucky winners drawn at the Pink Street Dinner Party, the best dressed shopfronts from Narrabri, Wee Waa and Boggabri will also be announced.

There will be four winners in the window dressing competition, one for each of the major towns in the shire and a runner-up for Narrabri.

Mr Stewart said the Chamber of Commerce is proud to be involved with Pink Up Namoi, and is especially pleased with how local businesses have gotten on-board.

“The window decorations look absolutely wonderful,” he said.

“As they always do, the Narrabri Shire business community has rolled up their sleeves and gotten involved.

“Our local area doesn’t do things by halves, and this is a great example of that – take a stroll down Narrabri’s main street to see for yourself.

“We’re so grateful to the local businesses that have pinked up this month, you’ve really helped bring this whole thing together,” Dr Kirkby said.

“Your lovely displays will make for a great on-theme setting for the street party.

“I can’t thank you enough.”

Joining in on the thanks is Rotary president Darrell Tiemens.

“Rotary is thrilled to be supporting Pink Up Namoi, and we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone in the local area who has helped out,” he said.

“Whether you bought a raffle ticket, have purchased pink merchandise, or secured your table for the street dinner – every little bit helps, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“Small towns like Narrabri don’t always have access to vital health services like those offered by McGrath Breast Care Nurses, so we need to fight for them.

“And the local community has done a great job so far, rallying behind the campaign to make sure those important resources are accessible in regional areas like ours.”

Dr Kirkby and Mr Tiemens are looking forward to Saturday evening, with festivities planned to go ahead rain, hail or shine.

“We’ve got a contingency plan in place in case of wet weather,” Dr Kirkby explained.

“If it rains, the tables will be moved underneath the main street awnings, outside the lovely decorated shopfronts.”

The party is set to wrap up around 11.30pm, but the campaign will continue until the end of the year.

The next Pink Up Namoi event will take place at The Crossing Theatre on Friday, October 29. Tickets to the Pink Movie Night are $35, which includes canapes, a drink on arrival, and a spot in the cinema to watch Decoding Annie Parker on the big screen.

A dragon boat display is set to hit the local waterways the following month, likely in late November – and, if not, early December. The Pink Up Your Pooch fundraiser will go ahead in December and a Pink Champagne Breakfast is being organised (dates for both events to be confirmed).

Read next week’s edition of The Courier to see photos from this Saturday’s street party.

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