Local RFS captain, Wayne Langdon said the funds would go towards fitting out the rest of their office.

“We actually moved into a shed several years ago and it wasn’t complete inside and we’re looking at getting a photocopier, fire-fighting equipment and an extra radio,” Mr Langdon said.

The captain said the RFS would also purchase a refrigerator for the truck so water bottles could be kept cool.

“We’re certainly very grateful to the community and Kelly [Warren] and Belinda [Thomas] for organising the ball,” he said.

Out of the $50,000 raised at the bush fire ball, $40,000 went to Sir Ivan – Dunedoo CWA Bushfire Appeal following the Sir Ivan fires in February. Four members of Gunnedah RFS attended the fire zone to help with mopping up.

“Our crews assisted with the big fire out at Boggabri on the same weekend,” Mr Langdon said.

Kelly Warren decided to do something to help Sir Ivan after watching footage on television. She said she got in touch with her friend Belinda Thomas who is a publican at the Parkview Hotel. Rotary 2380 also came on board to help with the financial side of things.

The pair quickly organised the ball and live auction, and received a huge response from the community with more than 300 people attending. Mrs Warren said they hoped to raise $50,000.

“[Fifty thousand] was our goal and we got there,” she said.

“Just basically from the start we said 20 per cent was going to our local RFS and the balance was to go to the Sir Ivan - Dunedoo CWA Bushfire Appeal.”

Mrs Warren said she was grateful to all the businesses that came on board and everyone who donated items for the auction.

“We raised $25,000 just in our auction,” she said.

The local said she pleased with the turn-out on the night.

“Three hundred and twenty people came just out of the goodness of their own hearts and wanted to help,” she said.

“If something happened around here, we’d hope people would want to help like we did.”