The night began with nearly 300 LGBTIQ+ young people entering The Cube in Wodonga to cheers and a guard of honour.

North East Pride Collective members, a group of about 10 youth who came together with the support of Indigo Council six months ago, opened the proceedings.

Beechworth’s Sheradon Neilson said with every event such as the Rainbow Ball, the North East region became a more inclusive community.

“Growing up rurally, while there is a lot of support, there can be negativity towards LGBTIQ people,” she said.

“Not being sure whether I could take a girl to my formal, it’s really great to be able to come here and feel supported.

“We deserve a space where we can feel safe and respected, and not judged.

“We (the collective) weren’t even sure whether this would get off the ground but everyone’s really thrown themselves into it.”

Sheradon said a HEY grant from the Victorian government covered costs for attendees.

“This event is entirely free and it’s all thanks to our council workers and the grant,” she said.

“Free transport has brought people in from Shepparton, Bright and all around – it’s been amazing that we can offer free catering and entry.”

The group worked hard to be sensitive and inclusive in the planning, doing so by offering badges to indicate preferred pronouns, gender-neutral toilets, sensitive social media policies and headspace representatives for those in need.

For some in the crowd, it was their first time attending an LGBTIQ+-specific event.

Throughout the evening there were drag performances, fashion parades and dancing.

Collective member Jai Butler, one of the masterminds behind the ball, said the response was more than he could have imagined.

“We hit 300 ticket registrations, and we were hoping for maybe 100,” he said.

“There’s a lot of love and support, it’s way beyond my expectations.”

Representatives from Victoria Police, major political parties and Albury, Wodonga, Indigo and Wangaratta councils made their support clear for the region’s gender-diverse youth at the event.

Savannah West, one of the organisers of the ball, said what meant even more than the financial backing was the emotional support.

“It’s really important for us to have our political leaders here because we can hold an event in our area, but unless we have them back us it’s just another disco,” she said.

“This entire event has been youth-driven – this is what we are capable of.”

The Border’s deputy mayors Amanda Cohn and Kat Bennett added to the colour of the night and congratulated the youth on the official opening.

“It’s on nights like these we are so proud to represent Albury and Wodonga,” Cr Cohn said.

“We’re becoming a far more diverse and inclusive community.”

Indigo Mayor Bernard Gaffney acknowledged the presence of Indi MP Cathy McGowan – who stepped up from her traditional orange with some rainbow earrings – and the work of his council’s youth officer in making the event a reality.

“Indigo Shire received the funding for this and it was all due to the work of Sal Kimber,” he said.

“This is the first Rainbow Ball, but the way Sal and I are talking it won’t be the last.”

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