“And on so many levels,” he said.

“We raised over $7000 for the community college and adult education in the shire, for a start.

“As well as fundraising, it was a night of fun-raising.”

A huge effort went into costumes, according Jane Richens from the college.

“There were so many stunning costumes and masks – you couldn’t pop a balloon without hitting a vivid clown or a ringmaster or a bearded lady.

” Newcastle band Iguana Trio played the hits that kept the dance floor filled, with able support from DJ Ashtray’s rare groove and soul sounds,” Jane said.

The evening was launched by a posse of clowns from Year 8 at Dungog High School performing acrobatic and colourful pratfalls and japes.

The floor show garnered raves, with its “witty” jokes, suspect juggling and an OH&S approved tightrope show that had the added frisson of “no net”.

 MCs Joko and Moloko Ringadingadingling kept the show moving.

A highlight was the extraordinary gyrations of the Australian Rubber Man, who deeply affected some of the more susceptible audience members.

Celebrity auctioneer Cate Blanchett, who may have also been Michael Winchester, led an entertaining auction of everything from tennis lessons with a former US satellite circuit athlete, to a dinner for ten, to a siring for a mare by a quality stallion stockhorse.

“It was quite a mix,” Jane said.

“We’re so grateful for the turn-up, the effort made by everyone, and the gold sponsorship from registered training organisation BCA National.

“Streets also came to the party with a generous donation of Magnum ice-creams.”

Photographers Alison O’Brien and Brian Doherty kept their focus throughout the evening.

If anyone wanted to buy a photo from Alison and missed out, you can view them at the Alison Louise Photography Facebook page and contact them to order a print or digital copy.

It was a night of colour and panache.

The red and white cuisine of Marisa Groves plus the delirious sweets bar by Skye Lawrence, the splendid decoration of the James Theatre and the “brilliant help of our volunteers” meant this year’s Masked Ball will be hard to beat.

“But we’ll try,” said John.