Community & Business
26 March, 2025
St Joseph's P&F Debutante Ball celebrated 50th anniversary in 2025
The 2025 St Joseph's P&F Debutante Ball was held on March 22
Almost 400 people watched on as 12 excited debutantes and their escorts were presented at the 50th St Joseph’s P&F Catholic Debutante Ball in Gilgandra on Saturday night (March 22, 2025).
The Gilgandra Shire Hall transformed into a beautiful ballroom for the highly anticipated milestone event, which was so popular it sold out well ahead of the night.
The 16-year-old debutantes and their escorts made their entrances and were formally presented on stage to the dignitaries, including parish priest Father Greg Kennedy, Matron of Honour Leonie Mann, St Joseph’s P&F president Jodie Peart, and ball secretary, Bianca Williams.
They then performed two traditional dances, including the Twilight Waltz and the Quick Step, before joining 300 of those watching on for supper, with everyone taking to the floor afterwards to dance the night away.
Event coordinators Bianca Williams and Jemma Burrell have kindly provided The Gilgandra Weekly with a sneak peak of some of the photos taken on the night, and we will share more photos in a future issue.
Introducing the 2025 Debutantes
The St Joseph’s Debutantes and their escorts who were presented at the 50th anniversary ball included:
Tia Allan and Charlie Zell
Jessie Riley and Cobie Carr
Emilia Peart and William Kerin
Sarah Keogh and Sam Dunn
Taylor Hayes and Sebastian Manusu
Ella Mudford and Declan Gale
Jordan Neeves and Luke Anderson
Najarra Naden and Isaiah Marchant
Sarah Chandler and Ethan Morris
Ameilia Chrystall and Thomas Chrystall
Courtney Harland and Ty Johnson-Honey
Isabella Townsend and Cale McEwen
Fifty years of P&F St Joseph’s Debutante Ball
Ahead of the ball, co-organiser Bianca Williams spoke with The Gilgandra Weekly about the importance of the milestone 50th anniversary and what event goers could expect.
“This year we are celebrating 50 years since St Joseph’s P&F started managing the Catholic ball,” she explained.
“Once upon a time, all the different groups in town would hold a ball. There was an Ambulance Ball, a Presbyterian Ball, and so on,” she added. With debutante balls a thing of the past in many communities, they are making a resurgence in some small rural and regional communities. Recent events have been held in Coolah, Dunedoo, and Narromine.
A special feature of the St Joseph’s ball included a back-list display of photographs from past events, with photos adorning three walls of the shire hall. Sourcing the photos was no mean feat, with the public asked to provide their own snapshots in time for the memory wall, and Jemma Burrell rustling through the archives at The Gilgandra Weekly.
“We have actually been looking in the archives at The Gilgandra Weekly [for the display] to represent what things looked like over time and how much of an institution this ball is in this particular community,” Bianca said.
The effort was well worth it in the end, she added.
“The historical photo wall was a hit with our guests, many of them finding themselves or family and friends.”
Practice makes perfect
The Debutantes and their escorts have been practicing the traditional dances chosen for the event since December 2024, Bianca said.
They were also closely involved in choosing the dances and music for the ball, which included one slow, traditional waltz and a faster, more fun dance.
Excitement swelled as the event approached, she added, especially among the debutantes.
“Over the last three to four months, the excitement has just grown and grown. At first, I think they were just figuring out what it was all about, and thought they would give it a go,” she said.
“They have worked really hard and had many, many practices!”
Dance instructors who worked with the debutantes and their escorts, David and Rebekah Makila, were special guests at the ball.
Event a success
The 50th St Joseph’s P&F Catholic Debutante Ball “went off without a hitch”, we understand, and the special anniversary event was well received by everyone involved.
“Everyone commented how elegant the night was and everyone looked dapper in their black tie attire,” Bianca said. After a well-deserved break, planning for next year’s event will get underway.
