Insurers and brokers in disaster-hit Far North Queensland hope to raise morale – and a healthy sum of money – with their first charity ball.

An industry get-together is long overdue, according to co-organiser Adriano Bellochi, who says few in the region can remember the last time they met for anything other than a training exercise.

“Normally you have to hang around after the event like a barfly,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Mr Bellochi hopes to attract more than 300 insurers and brokers to the October 27 event at the Rydges Southbank in Townsville, with proceeds to be split between mental health charity BeyondBlue and the Cancer Council Queensland.

The money will be spent on projects in Far North Queensland.

“The idea to host the event came on the back of the summer of natural disasters, when morale was at an all-time low,” Mr Bellochi said. “We wanted to host an event where regional brokers could come together and mingle with their peers.”

The North Queensland Insurance Charity Benefit will feature live music, an auction and a raffle. Mr Bellochi – who is general insurance manager at Ausure Townsville – hopes the event will take place every two years in the future.

For more information, please contact Mr Bellochi here.