Harden Debutante Ball Delivers Flawless Evening

Nine beautifully gowned young ladies made their debut on Friday, May 19, each accompanied by a debonair young man.

The Harden Debutante Ball was held in aid of Harden Can Assist and, while tallies have not quite been finalised, the figure is close to $10,000, according to Harden Can Assist’s Carol Barker.

“The organising group did an amazing job,” Ms Barker said. “The hall looked spectacular and all the debs looked beautiful. We have the best little community here that always supports Can Assist.”

There were 18 tables, two for each debutante to cater for their families and the families of their escorts plus an official table, so the event catered to around 200 to 210 people comfortably.

Lisa West, Ben Drew and Julie Alcorn took home the raffle prizes on the night. The prizes were valued at $1500, $800 and $400 respectively and contained gift vouchers, gifts and cash donated by businesses from Harden, Binalong, Jugiong, Cootamundra and Young. Ms Barker said she couldn’t wait to see what they came up with next year.

Many communities in Australia and other parts of the world continue to hold debutante balls, but they are not necessarily held for the same reasons as in years past. Once, as young ladies reached a certain age, they were presented to society which put them on show for the gentlemen and families of the upper classes in hopes of making a ‘good’ marriage. Queen Elizabeth II abolished the practice of debutantes being formally introduced into society by presentation to the monarch at royal court in 1958.

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