Eleven beautiful debutantes and their partners were presented to Senator John Williams and his wife Nancy, Councillor Peter Pankhurst and his wife Brenda, Lions President Alister Lemin and Bingara MPS Health Service Manager Susan Mack and her husband Scott Mack on Saturday, June 9.
The occasion was the Snow Ball, co hosted by the Bingara MPS Fund-raising Committee and the Bingara Lions Club.
The evening was spectacular and very colourful – black, white and blue. Black suits, white gowns and "blue eskis" which lined the walls of the transformed civic centre.
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(Back row, left to right) Graham Cutmore, Jessica Heal, Michael O’Brien, Gabbie Brennan, Taylor Holland-Wright, Blake Fletcher and Kristen Rogers, Jade Dixon and Karl Withers, Ally Holland-Wright and Joel Williams. (Middle row, left to right) Elli Sinclair, Andrew Kennedy, Danika Fields, Tomas O’Rourke, Jane O’Brien, Kyle Fletcher, Breanna Craddock, Kyle Miller, Kelly Welsh and Jac Swain. (front row, left to right) Flower girl Sophia Mack, Joey Bilsborough, Peter McFarland and Arabella Munro.
Councillor Catherine Egan read the description of the dresses as the girls were presented.
Matron on the night was Noelene Ozols who also gave generously of her time in making the flowergirls dresses and assisting in the alterations of the debutantes’ dresses prior to the ball. Rick Hutton was MC for the night.
The debutantes and partners were Miss Gabbie Brennan and Mr Michael O’Brien, Miss Breanna Craddock and Mr Kyle Miller, Miss Jade Dixon and Mr Karl Withers, Miss Danika Fields and Mr Tomas O’Rourke, Miss Jessica Heal and Mr Graham Cutmore, Miss Kristen Heal and Mr Taylor Holland-Wright, Miss Ally Holland-Wright and Mr Joel Williams, Miss Jane O‘Brien and Mr Kyle Fletcher, Miss Kristen Rogers and Mr Blake Fletcher, Miss Elli Sinclair and Mr Andrew Kennedy, Miss Kelly Welsh and Mr Jac Swain.
The debutantes were assisted on the night by the flower girls and partners Sophia Mack and Joseph Bilsborough, Arabella Munro and Peter McFarland. The beautiful flowergirls were presented with necklaces and the boys given watches kindly donated by Bingara Pharmacy.
Following the cutting of the cake donated by Bingara Bakehouse, Jessica Heal spoke on behalf of the debs thanking Brenda McManus and Peter Reading for teaching the debutantes to dance. Brenda and Peter were assisted by Jan Miller, Bernadette Gunthorpe and Ian Grieve who gave generously of their time.
The night started early for the debutantes and their partners with a photo shoot at the MPS and at Touriandi.
Photos were taken by Julie Alley and will be available soon. The debutantes then took this opportunity to present themselves to the aged care residents of the MPS and the residents of Touriandi Aged Care Facility.
The residents were extremely delighted and touched that they were given this opportunity to see such wonderful girls, boys and beautiful dresses.
Joseph Bilsborough and Sophia Mack worked the room and posed for many photo opportunities. This gesture undertaken by the debs was reflective of what the organisers of the ball wanted to achieve, a community caring and looking after its, respecting previous generations.
For those who attended the ball, we can all agree that the hall looked magnificent, decorated in a winter theme of silver and white, with snow and beautiful fairy lights donated by Country Energy.
Many people helped with the decorating including debutantes’ parents, Gwydir Shire Council, MPS Staff and partners, Lions members and Lions Ladies, a big thank you to Peter O’Brien, Scott Mack, Peter and Lenore Kennedy.
Decorations were kindly loaned to the ball committee by Peter and Kelly Egan, H Fay and Sons, Rick Hutton and Kasey Allen. The ball seating was co-ordinated entirely by Jenny Mead who did a fantastic job in ensuring that over 270 attendees were all seated.
The night was videoed by Merv Hall who will have copies ready for purchase in a couple of weeks.
The Sapphire and Diamond Ring raffle was drawn and won by Kea Allman.
During the night many presentations were made, Jo Miller of Hopwood Miller Pty Ltd. was presented with flowers in appreciation of her kind donations of tickets, programs and decorations.
Tiffany Galvin also received a gift, acknowledging her commitment to ensuring that the night went ahead. Tiffany was the main driver of the night and her enthusiasm and energy ensured that the night was a success.
The music on the night was provided by the Good Old Boys, who kept the dance floor full, the night ended late and a good time was had by all.
All funds raised will be going towards the shaded area at the Bingara MPS for the Aged Care residents to enjoy.
Bingara MPS Health Service Manager Sue Mack would like to thank everyone who helped in any way for such a wonderful night.
"The debutantes were beautiful, their partners handsome, the night was a success, all enjoyed themselves and the residents of the MPS will benefit," Sue said.
