Top of the Town wins major award
20 October 2008
The Top of the Town won the prestigious Australia Post Events and Tourism Award in the 2008 Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
Top of the Town won the Award from a strong field 
of nominees and was one of eight category winners announced on 18th October in a gala dinner at Bendigo. More than 350 guests enjoyed the Gala event including official guest The Hon Jacinta Allan, Minister for Regional and Rural Development.
The committee received television exposure on Prime Television and a magnificent trophy.
The Top of the Town Committee held its inaugural Town Charity Ball in 2004. Due to the success of the Ball, a committee of 13 was reconvened for 12 months of planning for a 2007 event.
Guests enjoyed a fabulous event in a giant marquee on the shores of Lake Hamilton to raise money for the Hamilton Base Hospital to replace an ageing Steriliser in the theatre valued at $107,000.
The black tie event catered for 530 guests at $200 a ticket and featured Frankie J Holden and Wilbur Wilde. Hundreds of cars also lined the lake’s shores to view the spectacular fireworks and light display.
The Ball raised $182,000 in profit which purchased additional equipment to the steriliser. The new steriliser also saves 31,000 litres of water each year.
ABOVE: Top of the Town Committee members Tony MacGillivray, Paul Aron, Deb Howcroft and Peter Franklin with the Australia Post sponsor receiving the winner's trophy at the Victorian regional achievement awards.