Photo: Tina Scorgie and her ball partner Chris Smith (Supplied)
Plans are well underway for an over 40s Debutante Ball in June 2022 hosted by the Yass Valley SPIN (Support For People In Need) Foundation.
SPIN volunteer and event organiser, Cheryl Scorgie, said they hope to emulate the success of the group’s 2018 Bushrangers Ball with over a hundred costumed guests.
“It was a big success, so we thought we’d do another ball,” she said.
“We were just throwing around ideas and we thought we’d go for a deb ball see how much interest we can get.”
“We listened to the community and what the community wants,” SPIN Foundation’s president, Barry O’Mara said. “There seems to be a bit of a call for the ball.”
Historically, the Debutante Ball was an event where young women were ‘introduced to society’ through the acts of social etiquette and appropriate morals. It can be traced back to 1600 and the tradition of presenting young noblewomen in the royal court for the first time.
But today it’s more of an occasion for fun and dancing.
Often hosted by churches, schools, or community groups the Ball itself is the finale to weeks of lead-up with dance and etiquette lessons. SPIN is still on the lookout for someone to teach the debs the dances.
Cheryl said the debutantes are then usually presented to someone important in the community, but they may have to cap the number presented due to limited time.
The night will also include a light supper, but guests will need to bring their own bottle of champers to share on the night.
The event will ideally be held at the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, one of the original places’ deb balls were held.
Although deb balls have gone out of fashion in some areas through the rise of BnS balls and school formals SPIN’s event will surely be a night to remember.
Any over 40s that are interested in making their debut can contact SPIN’s Barry O’Mara on 0417 232 186 and be sure to follow their Facebook page – Yass Valley SPIN Foundation – to stay updated on events.
By Brianna O’Rourke
