Community & Business
22 May, 2025
Teens shine at Debutante Ball
St. Stephen’s Catholic Debutante Ball was held on the evening of Friday, May 16th, and was a night to remember for the twelve young ladies who were presented to over 300 members of the community. The Ball was held in the Pittsworth Town Hall which was beautifully decorated to reflect the ‘Social Butterfly’ theme.
Each of the Debutantes and attendants made a grand entrance into the hall through a large pastel pink and blue balloon arch decorated by Katie and Jessica Hegarty.
The red carpet was laid, and the twelve Debutantes were presented to Fr. Thomas Areekuzhy, accompanied by the Matron of Honour Mrs Narelle Smith.
The official party comprised Toowoomba Region Councillor Carol Taylor, Pastor Charlie and Susan Uebergang of the Pittsworth Lutheran Church, Pittsworth State High School Principal Dan and Marlana Norris, and Errol Smith.
The Most Reverend Bishop Ken Howell was unable to attend, and other apologies included Mayor Geoff McDonald, Pat Weir MP, and ministers from the Pittsworth Uniting, Anglican and Harvest New Life churches.
Prior to the formal presentation, a dedication ceremony was held at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Hume Street.
Tony Dever was the Presentation Compere for the evening, and the Maids of Honour (former debutantes themselves) were Anastazia Kingsford, Charntay Markey, Abbie Brose, Savannah Porter, Holly Moore, Caitlin Gillam, Chloe Thompson, Nicole Robertson and Angela Robertson.
The flower girls each wore a pink sleeveless dress with a tulle overlay skirt, decorated with pink and blue butterflies.
The page boys wore a white shirt with a blue bow tie and black pants.
The Debutantes’ partners each looked very dapper in a black suit with a waistcoat, and blue tie with blue pocket square.
Erika Ferdinand of Pittsworth was partnered by Dallen Kelly and attended by Hollie Follington.
She wore a satin dress with a panelled bodice, adorned with plain satin and floral embellishments and pearl straps with a full satin skirt.
Keira Quinn of Pittsworth was partnered by William Collins and attended by Tilly Clarke and William Brouwer.
She wore a Madison James dress featuring a sweetheart neckline and shoestring straps.
The dress was full length with a semi-full tulle skirt and lace detailing on the bodice.
Indyara McMurray of Pittsworth was partnered by Ben Bourke and attended by Gracie York and Charlie Burchmann.
She wore a strapless full-length dress with a sweetheart neckline, jewelled bodice, with a semi-full tulle skirt.
Sienna Anderson of Pittsworth was partnered by Tyson Moore and attended by her cousins Harper Oliver and Hendrix Oliver.
She wore a plain satin dress with a square neckline, long sheer sleeves, elegantly decorated with pearls and featured laced-up back.
Tatum Scurr of Millmerran was partnered by Henry Polzin and attended by Alexis Markey.
She wore a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, jewelled bodice and tulle skirt.
Chloe McEwan of Pittsworth was partnered by Mitchell O’Brien and attended by Cailyn Keeley and Lochie McBeath.
She wore a floor length tulle ballgown with a sweetheart neckline, floral lace appliqué, and pearl embellishment on the bodice and lace straps.
Sophie Heinemann of Pittsworth was partnered by Joseph Hamlet and attended by Mackenzie Leahy.
She wore a beautiful jewelled and embroidered sweetheart neckline and bodice, and A-line organza skirt.
Sophie said it was a really good night and great experience.
For her, it was the allure of dressing up in formal attire, that sealed her decision to take part in this year’s Debutante Ball.
Sophie purchased her dress, which had only arrived in store that same day, from Lifeline.
“The lady said one had just come in out the back, and it was a perfect fit,” she said.
Sophie’s proud mum, Bec, said she thought all of the girls were dressed elegantly.
“They all looked absolutely beautiful.”
Olivia Sutton of Pittsworth was partnered by Thomas Moore and attended by Zoe Boyes and Patrick Grogan.
She wore an ankle length tulle A-line gown, with a high collar, lace covering the bodice with a nude underlay, open back and cap sleeves.
Freya Santsingh of Pittsworth was partnered by Ethan King and attended by Elsie Davies.
She wore a one-shoulder dress by Tania Olsen Designs, with A-line skirt.
The dress featured a stunning single shoulder bodice donned with ornate lace appliqué that cascaded down a sweetheart bodice.
Ella Lewis of North Branch was partnered by Brock Carter and attended by Isla Rogers and Logan Burton.
She wore a white one-shoulder, fitted satin dress, with ruching on the bodice and skirt and was complemented by a front split.
Emma Scobie of Southbrook was partnered by Jak Koza and attended by Josie Radke.
She wore a White satin A-line floor length dress with beading across the bodice and ruching asymmetrically across the front which met the overlapped skirt
Alecia Lowe of Hodgson Vale was partnered by William Hanlon and attended by Nevayah Porter.
She wore a fitted satin backless dress with shoestring straps, ruching around the bodice which extended to waistline.
The dress featured a small train which added an extra touch of elegance.
The Debutantes’ bouquets featured an arrangement of soft pink roses, with baby’s-breath and decorative butterflies that complemented the Debutantes’ attire perfectly.
Fr. Thomas congratulated the Debutantes and their partners on this special occasion.
“You are a credit to your parents, your families and your community,” he said.
“I know you are the hope of the future.
“You have incredible power to transform this society into a better place, a place of harmony.
“To the parents and families, thank you for placing these people in society, you have given them strong roots, and now they are ready to spread their wings.
“May this night be full of joy and make memories that will last a lifetime,” Fr. Thomas said.
He thanked the Matron of Honour Mrs Smith and the Committee Chair Leah Moore.
The Debutantes and their partners then danced The Pride of Erin and Gypsy Tap, in front of their families and guests.
Lisa, Brendan and Emily Cavanagh kindly offered many hours of their time to teach the Debutantes and their partners the dances.
Jenny Sullivan, Annie Murphy, Lucy Stevens and Carol Coonan volunteered to work behind the bar for the evening.
Jeka Catering prepared a hot meal and dessert served by Pam Tandy’s hospitality students from Pittsworth State High School.
The St. Stephen’s committee would like to thank everyone involved for making the evening such a success.
The first Debutante Ball in Pittsworth was held in 1935 with 28 participants.
Debutante Balls were popular Australia wide during the 20th century, especially in rural towns where occasions to dress in formal attire were few and far between, but as society changed over the years the occasion slowly began to fade.
And yet, Pittsworth held a Debutante Ball in 2022 and 2023 with 13 and seven participants, respectively.
Maybe the wheel of social relevance has nearly turned full circle, and young people are again enjoying an occasion to dress in formal attire, and attend an event where a degree of formality is upheld?
