Lucy and Ben Hood to host this year’s SA Mid Winter Ball

Brother and sister politicians Lucy and Ben Hood will be hosting this year’s SA Mid Winter Ball, which is set to tick off a major milestone this year.

Sibling MPs Ben and Lucy Hood outside SA Parliament. They are hosting the 2023 SA Mid Winter Ball. Picture: Emma Brasier.

The sibling rivalry will be dialled up to eleven at this year’s SA Mid Winter Ball with brother and sister members of parliament - albeit on opposite sides of the political divide - Ben and Lucy Hood hosting the charity event.

This year’s Ball, presented in partnership with Commercial & General, will mark the 10th time it has been held since the inaugural event in 2012, having taken a short break during the pandemic.

Event co-chairs Cameron England from News Corp Australia and Stacey Lee from ABC Radio Adelaide expect the amount to be raised over that time to comfortably sail past $500,000 this year, with auction items on offer including a helicopter flight with Adelaide’s own former air force test pilot Jim Whalley.

This year’s charity partners are Treasure Boxes, an Adelaide-based not for profit which provides essentials to babies, children and teens living with disadvantage in South Australia, and Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, which raises funds to invest in life-changing mental health research.

Lucy Hood, the Labor MP for Adelaide, said she was looking forward to outshining her older brother on the night.

“I’m really looking forward to hosting the Ball with Ben, raising funds for two incredibly important causes and having a laugh at my big brother’s expense.”

Ben Hood, who is a Member of the Legislative Council for the Liberal Party, said it would be another chance to point out the error of his sister’s ways.

“This will be my first Midwinter Ball and I hear it’s an awesome night where we can let our hair down and raise money for charity.

“Be prepared for some sibling rivalry - and me reminding everyone that Lucy chose the wrong side.”

The invitation-only event includes attendees from all of the major media organisations, political parties and staffers, as well as corporate partners.

It will be held on July 7, with other corporate partners including BHP, Thomson Geer, Santos, Beach Energy, Electranet, Heritage Bank, Mitsubishi Motors Australia, the RAA, SkyCity, Praetorian Investments and the Local Government Association.

Adelaide Gin, Pernod Ricard Australia and Lion are also involved, providing beverages on the night, while Michels Warren PR and ChinaShop provide support and Bronte Manuel from Toop & Toop returns as auctioneer.

Originally published as Lucy and Ben Hood to host this year’s SA Mid Winter Ball