Rehearsals are down to, in some instances, nightly, and if the nerves are running high, the couples are doing a very good job of hiding them.

With the routines all well-learned and the polishing underway, the couples are focussing their attention on the fundraising portion of judging, with great results so far.

The seven couples who are taking part in 'Dancing with the Locals' have placed collection boxes in various locations around town and these will remain in place until the judging is finalised. These locations are:

Georgia Murray - Bunyip Pre-School; Jack O'Connor - Wombat Hotel; Maryanne Fitzgerald - Harden Hospital; Richard Fleming - Flemings Real Estate; Rodney Cooper - Cooper's Butchery; Caron Cantrill - Bendigo Bank; Kirsty Kemp - Garangula office; Adam Walsh - Harden Pharmacy; Terry Ricketts - Vision Concrete (Harden); June Howe - Potts Point Hair salon; Vicki Fairfield-Smith - Harden Country Club; Greg Jamieson - Athair Salon and Prestige Beauty; Jenny Polimeni - Gino's Fruit and Veg (Jugiong); Leigh Butt - Jugiong Motel.

There have been several raffles, including one drawn at DWTL rehearsal on Monday night to support the youngest couple in the group; Georgia Murray and Jack O'Connor.

The raffle, drawn by local identity and bachelor-about-town Richie Fleming, was for a load of firewood and was won by Pat and David Walker. Talk about 'burning the floor!'

Harden Murrumburrah Hospital staff have donated over $300 to their dancing colleagues Vicki Fairfield-Smith and Maryanne Fitzgerald to support the Can Assist fundraiser.

In a great initiative, the hospital staff decided last year to donate all their returns on recyclable cans and bottles to local charities. So far, there has been an amount of over $2000 donated, including this donation to Can Assist DWTL.

Another fundraiser involved aforementioned Richie Fleming donning a dinner suit and pouring champagne to the ladies attending a local football match. 'A' for effort, Richie!

Tickets have long-sold out for DWTL, which will be held next weekend, but it is not too late to get involved. Get behind your favourite couple and donate some money for a fantastic cause!