Tomorrow night, just across the border, the Balzanelli family will open the doors to its family business, Four Bees Meats and Balzanelli Smallgoods, in an effort to give back to the people whom they keep closest to their heart— their customers and community—and raise funds for a local cancer cause.

Alongside local businesses ranging from kitchenware to jewellery, beauty treatments and more, it will be Ladies Night to remember. But when you work in the meat industry where you would expect to be surrounded by big burly men and where bones and raw meet is part of daily life, where on earth does one draw inspiration?

From the heart, of course. (And that’s figuratively speaking mind you.)

Family owned and operated, Four Bee Meats – Balzanelli Smallgoods, has held its place in the Queanbeyan community for 25 years. From humble beginnings, immigrants Giovanni and Carla Balzanelli built up the business into a thriving quality butcher and manufacturing company providing its loyal following of local connoisseurs with fresh meat, produce, coffee and other true delicatessen delights.

Specialising in the manufacturing of Italian small goods and award-winning hams, the family is proud to lay claim that all their small goods are produced locally here in the Canberra-Queanbeyan region using traditional back-to-basic methods. That is handmade, and even traditionally smoked using cherry wood timber, of course.

Today the business is run by their son, Marco and his wife Dolores.

Yet despite all its stereotyping of being an industry only for the toughest and brawniest, Four Bee Meats Retail & Marketing Communication Manager and third generation,  Sandra Balzenelli says there are women, more now than ever, working in the industry.

“There are more women doing butchery apprenticeships and being involved in food manufacturing,” she says.

“…which is great to see as females have another added value to throw into the mix—the more we brainstorm as a team, the better the outcome.”

While it can be an intimidating field to work in the nature of a small family business means that you quite often have to get in there and help out, even when it means getting a little dirty.

“I might be responsible for the business’ marketing, but you wear all different types of hats,” says Sandra.

“It was only the other day that I was helping out making sausages because the boys needed a hand…[and it’s] to make sure the job gets done.”

But it’s not all business.

The family have decided to host a Ladies Night at their Queanbeyan store.

“It’s a chance for us to team up with other local businesses within the community and give back,” Sandra says.

“We’ve teamed up with Miglio Jewellery, Tupperware, Lorraine Lea and Yogi’s Eyebrow and Tinting.”

Not only, says Sandra, will Four Bee Meats be showcasing who they are as a company and and what they do, but all their locally manufactured products will be on show to taste, sample and take home as recipe ideas.

“We love food and so everyone who comes along will get to enjoy the Balzanelli food experience,” she says.

Of all the good causes and charities to choose from, ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group is the charity of choice for tomorrow’s Ladies Night, and one that strikes a chord with the Balzenelli family and their staff.

“We know that cancer affects everyone from our own family members to our staff, customers and the wider community. Even one of our colleagues is a survivor of breast cancer,” says Sandra.

“We know how important the support of the ACT Eden Monaro group can be in helping families emotionally and financially.”

In a town, such as Queanbeyan, where the population is less than 40,000 (despite the neighbouring capital), community is everything. Not just in keeping a business alive, but when times become tough too. For Sandra, her family and their staff, it’s about reminding people that they’re not alone either.

“Coming together as a community shows people that the support is there,” she says.

“We love being a part of the Queanbeyan community not only on a personal level—we’re a Queanbeyan family—but also on a business level. Having the shop has allowed us to get to know many other business owners in the wider community and team up with them to support each other and boost the local economy.”

And the Ladies Night is just a small token to give back to the very community that has supported them throughout the years.

To get involved you can simply make a donation at the Four Bee Meats store in Queanbeyan or RSVP to attend the Ladies Night taking place tomorrow night from 5.30pm.

The essentials

What: Ladies Night

Where: Four Bee Meats & Balzanelli Smallgoods, 5/122 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan

When: Wednesday 24 September from 5.30pm

How: RSVP via Facebook or phoning (02) 6297 1292