When Jess and John Moloney's children ask, "Mum, Dad, where did you two meet?", they receive a very Australian answer.
The two first crossed paths at the Bachelors and Spinsters (B&S) Ball in Harrow, western Victoria, during 2013.
Now married, the Lexton couple said they never would have found each other if not for that event.
"The group of friends I was with and the group Jess was with sort of knew each other, and we just got talking out there," John said.
Jess said he added her on Facebook later that week.
"Then there was the Longerenong B&S not long after in Horsham, where we connected again," she said.
Like so many B&S balls, the Harrow and Longerenong events were filled with flying food dye, country music and exhaust fumes, and doubled the population of tiny towns — all in the name of helping people to partner up.
"I saw a guy with a ute attached to a caravan doing circle work, and then they tipped it on its side and set fire to it," John said.
"You couldn't get away with that these days."
Organising pandemonium
But last month, organisers of the Harrow B&S Ball announced the 2023 event — scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 21 — would not happen due to increased costs.
"Unfortunately, the new permits that are required and a volatile, inflated insurance market, have forced our hand," organisers wrote in a post on social media.
Secretary Sheena O'Connor said it was too risky to continue given these factors.
"There seems to be not as many insurance companies about, so the ones that are about are pretty much naming their price," she said.
"And that's it. They can charge whatever price they want, and you must have insurance for these types of events.
"There is a lot of drinking involved, and we want the people that come to our events to be safe if something does happen."
She said medical professionals were always in attendance, "but you just never know".
Sheena hoped that by cancelling this year's event it would be financially viable for the ball to return in 2024, which would make it the first since before the pandemic.
Heyfield B&S also affected
Several hours' drive to the east, rising prices were also a factor in last year's decision to discontinue the Heyfield B&S.
"There was definitely volunteer fatigue for us," said former organiser Lauren Howden.
"We had hoped by our 10th year another group could take the event over, however, COVID kind of stuffed that for us a little bit.
"It meant getting larger events off the ground was a lot harder."
Beyond matchmaking, the absence of Harrow and Heyfield balls will also be felt in fundraising.
"We've probably pumped close to $10 million over 10 years into various charities and organisations in our community," Lauren said.
"The Cowwarr Primary School burnt down [in 2020] and they needed a new fridge and dining table, so we paid for those."
Sheena said she did not think "Tinder will ever replace it".
"Often you get nervous when you're going to meet someone one-on-one, but here you're with your friends."
A B&S favourite act
Steve Latham at one point might have been the only country rock frontman who would turn down a pub gig for a different scene.
Until last year, the Carrum Downs local was the founder and leader of Silverstring Outlaws, who gained a nationwide following as the kings of the B&S touring circuit.
"When we initially got going a lot of kids at the pubs asked if we could play at those type of events, so it grew from there," he said.
"Nobody understands the B&S scene. Those kids who come are very loyal to that circuit.
"It's really hard when you see pictures that people show you, but it's not all about getting blind and throwing up. I've had more trouble playing at pubs than at B&S balls."
The six-piece, which includes Latham's son, Kane, on lead vocals, has played countless balls across five states over 20 years.
They were the main act that helped Hay relaunch its B&S ball in 2012 after a 20-year drought.
Silverstring Outlaws had their curtain call at the Koonoomoo B&S in north-eastern Victoria last year.
Now 61, Latham said it was time for new blood on the circuit — and there were plenty of acts ready to take their place.
"The Wolfe Brothers, before they were even a band, came to see us at the B&S in Ouse [Tasmania]," he said.
"They now play the circuit, and we've helped the younger acts like Jake Sinclair and Iain Archibald.
"You need other bands in there for the future."
What is the future?
Lauren says there is talk in Heyfield about getting a replacement event off the ground, but not for people over 18, which includes camping.
A brand new B&S is starting up in Donald, halfway between Melbourne and Mildura, in April.
Sheena is adamant there will be a Harrow event in 2024.
"We are trying to come up with different options, possibly having it on private land, but you still have to have security and insurance because if something happens, someone has to be liable," she said.
"We will find a way."
'Somewhere to let your hair down'
For the Moloneys, B&S balls remain as important a feature of their lives as they were 10 years ago, but for a different reason.
John lends a water truck from his earthmoving business to the Lake Bolac ball each December.
For the sake of tourism, and for locals young and old, the couple hopes B&S balls continue to be a feature of Victorian life in decades to come.
"I think it's just a good way to catch up," Jess said.
"You otherwise wouldn't see these people for six to 12 months.
"Life's busy when you're working, and it's a reason to go somewhere and let your hair down."
