Tenterfield Care Centre – which oversees Millrace Hostel and Haddington Nursing Home – is hosting the black tie event at the Tenterfield School of Arts on November 24.

TCC committee chair Greg Sauer said the evening will be an entertaining affair with organisers soon to announce the special guest speaker. 

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Tickets go on sale next month and it would be best to get in early. Numbers will be restricted to 120 for comfortable seating, and all proceeds from the event go towards Haddington’s expansion plans.

Mr Sauer said there will be tables of 10 to enjoy a three-course meal, with lucky door prizes and auctioning off of 10 major items such as accommodation packages.

“It will be a celebration and tribute to Col Mann and his 30 years of contributions to Haddington and Millrace through the TCC, and double as a fundraiser.”

Mr Sauer said anyone interested in contributing to the evening can contact the Haddington office, where a register of expressions of interest in tickets before they go on sale is also being kept.

Tenterfield Shire Council is donating the use of the School of Arts through a resolution passed by councillors at the June meeting in a departure from stated policy, and Mayor Peter Petty was clear that the decision would not set a precedent.

In his report to council, chief executive Terry Dodds recommended the move given the exceptional circumstances ‘in recognition of the commitment and dedication to the community by Mr Col Mann, as it is quite possible that without his determination and courage, Tenterfield would not have either of the aged care facilities currently provided for our aged community members’.

Councillor Bronwyn Petrie spoke in support of the resolution, calling it a great move in recognition of how wonderful it is having facilities like Haddington here.

“It would never have occurred without Col Mann,” she said.

“When I first came here 33 years ago, Col Mann told me, ‘Anything that we want to have in Tenterfield, we have to fight for’.”