IMAGE: Claire Wright with Pedro Tapim, Caitlyn Roy with Andy Zhao, Darcy Merchant with Harrison Warn, Kathleen Pace with Jack De Freitas, Anastacia Grills with Callum James, Clare Hines with Sam Brand, Chloe Bellach with Jake Haywood and Maisie Harrison with Jack Dicton were presented to Canowindra society last Saturday night. George McKenzie served as pageboy alongside flower girl Ella Parker.
Eight Canowindra High School (CHS) girls were presented at the 50th Annual Canowindra Debutante Ball last Saturday night. After postponing the ball for a year, the girls were excited to make their debut to Canowindra and special guests CHS teacher Mrs Kath Balcombe and former year advisor Mr Andrew Phelan.
The evening began with photographs at The Falls Retreat before the debutantes and their partners made their way to the Canowindra Services Club where 150 guests awaited their arrival. They performed the foxtrot and cha-cha, having learned the dances from Kath Balcombe. The groups nerves were unfounded as they showed off their skills without a hitch.
A cake, made by school parent Kobi Rogers, was presented and ceremoniously cut. After the formalities, guests enjoyed a roast dinner and cake before being invited to dance the night away, with local DJ and former CHS student, Wade Kinsela and friend Brian McCabe providing music, a smoke and bubble machine and laser lights.
The event had been hotly anticipated after COVID forced the postponement of the event in 2020. “It was more than a debutante ball,” said CHS P&C president, Carolyn Austin. “It ended up being a great celebration of being able to socialise again.”
CHS captain Claire Wright said of the evening: “The day came with lots of preparation and nerves but it all paid off. It was definitely a night to remember and good to get back on the dance floor after a year of COVID.”
By Verity Middleton