Splendour at Springfield for Farming for Kids

On a spectacular evening in March, more than 130 guests descended on Springfield Woolshed and partied for a great cause. Words by Eleanor Pengilley.

IMG_2158 - Neon Disco styling by Hi Hilda.jpg

IMG_2297 - Springfield Splendour Committee.jpg

Photography: Georgina Gavel

You’ve heard “it takes a village”, but what about “it takes a committee”?

In mid-2023, Laura and Michael Hockey put into action an idea they’d been contemplating for a while – they gathered a committee of 14 women of diverse skills and backgrounds and put the wheels in motion for ‘Springfield Splendour’. To be held at Springfield Woolshed on their property, ‘Springfield’ near Spring Ridge on the Liverpool Plains, they had dreamt of putting together a black-tie themed fundraiser to bring people together and benefit a local organisation.

On Saturday 9 March, it all came together with more than 130 guests descending on Springfield Woolshed in their finest to raise money for Liverpool Plains not-for-profit, Farming for Kids. Run by another volunteer committee of farmers from across the region, the group aims to benefit the health and wellbeing of children in the local community through the awarding of organisational grants and scholarships for individuals.

The evening kicked off with cocktails on the lawn by Josephine’s, with catering by Relish Catering Narrabri and entertainment by Newcastle’s Phonic. Surrounded by stunning neon disco-themed décor provided by Posies, Hometown Hire, Mr & Mrs Hill and A1 Hire, the event styling was coordinated by Emma Lees from Hi Hilda along with her team of styling gurus.

Guests were treated to a display of live illustration by Cat Long across the evening, while Shaun Pyne from Pyney’s Pie Reviews travelled all the way from Canberra to MC the event after he heard about it during a fortuitous game of golf in Foster. Farming for Kids President Charles Hill spoke to the crowd about the organisation and its history, before Josie Saunders took to the microphone to talk about how she had personally benefitted from its work in the community.

Auctioneer Tom Tanner from event sponsor Davidson Cameron & Co shone during the live auction and raffle prizes were announced before guests made their way to a dancefloor under the stars to make the most of the beautiful autumn evening.

Springfield Splendour saw guests travelling from as far as Sydney and Toowoomba, and raised over $35,000 for Farming for Kids through generous sponsorship, ticket sales, a raffle and the live auction. It is hoped to be the first of many annual fundraising events for the Springfield Woolshed team.