Rotary Club of Gunnedah West stages 49th debutante ball

The debutante season has officially started, with the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West hosting their 49th annual Debutante Ball last Friday.

For seven weeks, all 22 debs and their partners have been practising hard to learn their dances, the traditional Pride of Erin and a contemporary dance.

Local dance instructor, Jason Elliot of JAE Dance, worked with the group teaching them the steps and choreographing the second dance.

Pride of Erin was performed to “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perry, and the ‘fun’ dance was performed to “Golden” from popular movie KPop Demon Hunters.

The night proved to be magical, the town hall transforming into a gorgeous room of lights and laughter. Debutantes were presented to special guests mayor Colleen Fuller, matron-of-honour Karen Neader, and high school teacher Nathan Moore.

“The debutante ball was a wonderful success,” Marg Amos, of the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West, said.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. Lots of families were there enjoying the experience with their young people. And a lot of the mums had already been debutantes back in their day, so it was like a nice family tradition.

“There was a lot of volunteer work that went into the ball, both before and during the night, so it was a very worthwhile and happy night.”

A total of 260 guests, including the debutantes and their partners, were in attendance.

Debutante balls have changed over the years from its 18th century origins and have taken on a new role, especially in regional and rural towns.

The long-standing tradition has become a coming-of-age experience for not only the young ladies who participate but for their partners too.

“It’s not just about the dresses and everything, it’s more about getting out of your comfort zone and coming out to society, and as young women, it’s a really special thing and you honestly get so excited about it, bringing your family and everyone together,” Aleisha Doolan, one of the debutantes said.

“I agree with pretty much what Aleisha said, I’ve done this before and it’s like a coming-of-age thing as well. It’s a good night out for families, friends, everyone to sort of mingle and have a good night,” Aleisha’s debutante partner, Jaxson Welsh, said.

“For anyone that wants to do it in the future, they should just go for it, because it’s one of those things that I feel that should continue in the community.”

For Aleisha’s twin sister, Shaylah Doolan, the deb is a time to come together to celebrate and support one another…and have a good night out too.

“It’s about coming together as a community, spreading love and having fun, it’s all about fun,” Shaylah Doolan said.

“It was a good opportunity to get my hair and make-up done and to look pretty.”

For Mrs Amos, watching the young girls and boys grow in confidence and blossom has been a big part of the experience. She said that the element of tradition, and having a night to share with family is what she believes keeps the deb alive.

“I think the young ones still enjoy having that element of tradition, and the dress up, yes, is important, but it’s more about being able to share this very special moment where they’re introduced into Gunnedah in a social sense with their community and families,” Mrs Amos said.

“The girls and their partners seem to blossom through the experience, but also they seem to be very appreciative, and that’s the big thing.

“If that didn’t happen then [Rotary] wouldn’t bother, but given that they seem to enjoy this experience and grow with all that they learn as far as the dances and etiquette and just the formal part of being presented to the Gunnedah community, it’s something really special.

“We enjoy watching these girls grow in confidence from when we started our rehearsals, they become confident young ladies who benefited from being involved in a team effort, it was a growing type of experience for the debutantes.”

Gunnedah will enjoy another two debutante balls this year, the Catholic Debutante and the Deb of the Year Ball hosted by the Swimming Gunnedah Club.