The difficult economic climate has had far-reaching effects, with news this week the annual Black Coal Ball will not go ahead in 2014.
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A mainstay on the Muswellbrook social calendar for the past decade, the black tie function won’t be back for its 11th year due to lack of a major sponsor.
Organiser Joe Matthews said it was disappointing to call off the event, which raises about $20,000 a year for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
“We were hopeful, even up until yesterday morning, that we may have a sponsor,” Mr Matthews told the Chronicle on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, under the circumstances, it just didn’t work out.
“But we will bounce back bigger and better next year, and now all our focus is on the golf day.”
The Black Coal Challenge Cup golf day is Muswellbrook’s major rescue helicopter fundraiser.
It will be held at Muswellbrook Golf Course on August 26.
The two events combined raised more than $85,000 for the organisation last year, and more than $1 million since they began.
