Community
29 June, 2026
Ball will help change the lives of burns victims
Local residents are being urged to help change the lives of children recovering from devastating burn injuries by attending the inaugural Beat the Burn Winter Ball at Centennial Vineyards next month (July).
Local residents are being urged to help change the lives of children recovering from devastating burn injuries by attending the inaugural Beat the Burn Winter Ball at Centennial Vineyards next month (July).
Hosted by Fire and Rescue NSW Station 234 Bowral, the black-tie fundraising event will take place on Saturday, July 25 and is expected to become one of the region's premier charity events.
The Winter Ball forms part of the long-running Beat the Burn Campaign, a firefighter-led initiative supporting The Burns Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Over the past 21 years, firefighters across New South Wales have raised more than $1.65 million to help fund critical burns research, specialised equipment and support services for young burn survivors and their families.
Deputy Captain Chris Trotter from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 234 Bowral said local firefighters were proud to bring the event to the Southern Highlands.
"Every firefighter has witnessed the devastating impact burns can have on children and their families.
“Beat the Burn is about doing everything we can to improve outcomes for these kids and support the incredible work being done by The Burns Unit at Westmead," Mr Trotter said.
"This is our inaugural Winter Ball and we're inviting not only firefighters and emergency service personnel, but the entire Southern Highlands community to join us for what promises to be a fantastic evening while supporting a truly worthwhile cause."
The event follows the success of the first regional Burns Unit Ball held earlier this year and aims to build on the fundraising momentum already achieved by the Bowral station.
To date, firefighters from Station 234 Bowral have raised $26,000 through the 2025/26 Beat the Burn campaign and are working towards an ambitious station target of $50,000.
Funds raised through Beat the Burn help The Burns Unit access cutting-edge treatment technologies, conduct world-leading research and provide vital support services to children recovering from serious burns.
The funding assists with advances in pain management, scar treatment and rehabilitation, helping young patients achieve the best possible functional and cosmetic outcomes.
The Beat the Burn campaign began in 2006 when two firefighters from Hurstville rode 400 kilometres over four days to raise money for the Burns Unit.
What started as a single fundraising ride has since grown into a statewide movement involving firefighters, emergency services personnel and communities across New South Wales.
Guests attending the Winter Ball will enjoy a three-course dinner, live entertainment, dancing, raffles and inspiring stories highlighting the impact of the Burns Unit's work.
The evening will bring together firefighters, emergency services workers, local businesses, community leaders and residents in a celebration of the longstanding partnership between Fire and Rescue NSW and The Burns Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Organisers hope the event will help contribute towards the statewide Beat the Burn campaign target of $400,000 this year.
Tickets are now available at beattheburn.org by selecting ‘Winter Ball’.
Community members unable to attend can still support the cause by making a donation via beattheburn.org, selecting FRNSW Fire Station 234 Bowral.
The Winter Ball will be held at Centennial Vineyards in Bowral from 6pm until 11pm on Saturday, July 25.
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