THESIZZLINGSEVENTIES
Mining industry’s big night
captures disco fever
Earlier this year, around 450 guests, elegantly dressed and
ready to party, attended the WA Mining Club’s social highlight
of the year – the Gala Ball.
On the 8th September, guests were transported back to
the era when the WA Mining Club began. The 70s had been
a decade of safari suits and platform shoes, moustaches
and flared trousers, Germaine Greer and Norman Gunston,
microwaves and colour TVs, Chargers and panel vans. And
Disco ruled the music scene!
Upon arriving at the Hyatt, a rowdy contingent of camera-
bearing ‘paparazzi’ snapped photos and sought comment
from guests as they made their way into the Grand Ballroom
foyer. During pre-dinner drinks, stilt-walking girls handed out
mirror ball earrings, sunnies and ‘bling’ to enthuse the night’s
groovers and shakers.
In true Clubland style, guests then ran a gauntlet of door
girls who marked their wrist with the obligatory entry-stamp
and were asked to have their ID checked by security staff.
Entering the ballroom, the area was awash in mirror balls
and swirling lights, and a number of John Travolta doubles
appeared on elevated platforms scattered throughout doing
Saturday Night Fever’ dance routines.
With guests comfortably seated, the night’s floor show
entertainment got off to a pleasing start with Steve Armstrong
and a bevy of disco-inspired dancers performing the hit “It’s
the Best Disco in Town”. Two guests felt so moved by the
music, they joined the dancers for the opening number!
Mistress of Ceremonies Babs McHugh then introduced
President Neil Watson who warmly welcomed guests and
thanked event sponsors. Neil provided an upbeat review
of the Club’s activities and objectives over the past year
and paid tribute to the enthusiastic committee who worked
alongside him.
While Babs McHugh moved and grooved her way through
the evening, guests were treated to a gourmet meal and
a fabulous array of entertainment.
The ballroom was a fine backdrop for the sizzling routine
by ‘Soul Mystique’. Performed by Gavin Skinner and Lydia
Lim and described as ‘the world’s most unique magical dance
act’, guests were mystified at Lydia’s ability to disappear
behind thin veils of silk and reappear in completely new
outfits within seconds. The fast paced dance routine and
quick-change act both captivated the audience, and raised the
ambient temperature in the room.
Shortly after, the ballroom was filled with side-splitting
laughter as the inimitable Darren Carr, comedian and
ventriloquist, transformed one of the guests into his
ventriloquist dummy’. Clad in a Scottish kilt and mask, the
guest puppet was hilarious with his rendition of
Danny Boy
and comical quips, courtesy of his puppet-master.
During the evening, the event sponsors were represented
by the hip radio disc jock ‘Cool Man Luke’, whose deep, suave
voice acknowledged those companies who helped to make the
evening such a great success.
With the Disco Divas performing dinner music and Disco
Betty’s fine array of 70s greats, virtually no-one was left sitting
down, from the start of the evening to when Betty packed up
her microphone leads at 1.00am.
The pictures here capture some of the wonderful disco
moments that was the 2012 Gala Ball.
MINESITE 2012
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