Community News

Mirboo North Community Debutante Ball

This year many of my friends and I got the opportunity to attend the 2023 Deb Ball. Thanks to the amazing women, Stacey Briscoe, honestly such an incredible lady that really put her all into this event.  

The Morwell Italian Australian Club hosted our special night along with Bonnie Callander our dance instructor and Tammy-Lee our photographer. Each and every one of us had such a beautiful and memorable night, along with friends and family. It was such a fantasticatmosphere and a beautiful group to dance with. 

I enjoyed every moment and am so grateful to be a part of this year’s group. Making my deb, was something I always looked forward to and is defiantly one of my high school highlights. The most exciting part for me was the preparation getting your hair and makeup done and putting the beautiful white dress on!  

On the night I was given the privilege to do the “Thank you” speech, alongside Zac De Beer. That was an honour and great experience for me. Then we finished the night off with our special persons dance and fun music. 

By Molli Watts 

On the 16th of October us yr 11s got ready for our very first dance practice for our upcoming debutant ball. These practices, every Sunday were a fun exciting way of everyone bonding with not only our partners but also all the other couples whilst also getting out of our shells a bit and busting some moves. There were three different dances that we had to learn, the first was a progressive dance, meaning you change who you dance with, this dance was full of circles and spins but was picked up quickly by most. The second dance was the traditional waltz to the song ‘chasing you’ by Morgan Wallen, this dance was slower and a bit more charming. Then finally we closed out the three dances with our “fun dance” this was our chance to let loose and have a bit of fun, the boys threw their jackets off to free up the arms then there were slides, claps and even a couple lifts of the girls. 

Then after our 5th and final practice it was the real deal, the boys had their suits and the girls their dresses, hair and makeup. When 3pm came around on the 24th of November the first debutants started to arrive, and shortly after taking some pics with my partner and one other couple. Walking into Morwell's Italian Australian club and seeing all the friends I've gone through school with all dressed up in black suits (looking like the MIB) and stunning white dresses was just an unreal feeling. Then after we all got over how we looked and plenty of photos had been taken we were ready to dance. So, after all our guests were seated our names were called out couple by couple each with our own little introduction about ourselves and then we started the dances. We danced flawlessly all in sync with big smiles, apart from one moment at the end where I almost tripped on my partners dress and ruining the whole thing, thankfully I saved myself and the dance went on. Once the dances were all wrapped, dinner was served, and the disco floor opened where we all got to dance until the end of the night. 

Overall, it was an amazing experience with an even better group of people, thanks heaps to Stacey Briscoe for organising and Bonnie Callander (dance instructor) for making this all possible. 

By Ollie Mahoney

At the start of 2023 it was decided that the year 11’s would like their deb to happen. As COVID had been an issue the deb hadn’t happened in 3 years. So, I took on the task, by myself, of making this happen for them. With all the preparation of organising dance instructor and lessons, the money, venue, photographer, getting notes out and lots more. They were all very excited and enthusiastic for the practices to begin. 

They all had 5 dance lessons with Bonnie Collander (she is just absolutely fantastic, highly recommend) learning 4 different dances, 2 traditional, 1 fun one and special persons dance. Gippsland Promo Print had done all the decorating, with the fairy lights, greenery, plus more and what an amazing job they did a big thank you Jodie, Margie, Kyla and Adam. Tammy Lee Photography was brilliant as always having 2 different backdrops for them to stand in front of, having time for a heap of group photos with friends. We can’t wait to see the photos you took.  Italian Australian Club your venue and food were just incredible. Thank you to Allen Risley for MCing the event and making lots of jokes when introducing them.  

The debutants and their partners were just the most well-mannered, well behaved, and fun-loving group. It was such an honour to make this special moment in their lives happen. You will take these memories with you always and forever.  The girls all looked stunning on the night in your white dresses, hair done and make up. The boys looked very smart in their suits. A massive thank you for contributing for making the night such a big success. 

BY STACEY BRISCOE  

Latrobe Youth Space School Holiday Activities