Though this was their formal introduction to society, a number of the young debs taking part in the 2018 Catholic Debutante Ball of the Sacred Heart Parish indicated that they’d already been on dates, flirted on social media and were in no hurry to find a suitable husband by the end of the next social season – or decade!

The girls admitted that being a debutante was a tradition whose original purpose has changed. After all, traditions can only be kept alive if they evolve and are moulded to retain their relevance to each generation.

“My grandmother would talk about her debut and she always looked forward to mine. I wanted to take part to honour her,” debutante Jesse Coote said remembering Shirley Coote, who debuted decades earlier. “I lost my grandmother five years ago but I feel connected to her through this ball.”

Filipino debutante Maria-Yzabella Bates, wearing an intricate dress made in her homeland, says the ball makes her feel a connection with her religion. “I love my Catholic faith and when Father Roel asked me to take part in the Debutante Ball, I could not refuse. It was such an honour,” she said. “It was fun learning the dance and getting dressed up, but the ball for me is so much more than that.” 

READ MORE: 150 Photos from this year’s 2018 Catholic Debutante Ball

“I don’t feel different now that I’ve debuted, but my family has been involved in this process and has got to know and trust my friends a little bit more and I think that this will probably mean more freedom for me.” 

In the past, the balls were used to find potential suitors. These days it’s more about networking and making friends. Debutante Anna Lennon enjoyed the social aspect. “By coming out into society, I have got to know different people,” she said. 

The purpose of Deb balls may have changed significantly since the days of Jane Austen, however glamour and elegance never go out of style and are still an intricate part of the event. And there was plenty of glitz and Ritz on Friday thanks to the great organisation of the event by Anthony Michael, fancy dance moves taught by Tiffany Moir and the effort of the young people who practiced for weeks in order to refine their skills in dance and etiquette. 

They glided effortlessly on the dance floor as they presented the El Paso twice – including a version where the girls took the lead to keep in tune with the times. A symbol that deb balls are more about empowering women, and less about subservience.

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The women looked as though they were within their element, but the young men were challenged. Not only were they overshadowed by gracious debutantes wearing swishy gowns, but they also had to scrub up, make sure their partners were treated with utmost respect and even had to master two versions of the El Paso.

It’s only natural that some buckled under the pressure.

“I had a partner lined up, but he left me because he had to play footy so I had to find another,” said Elise Randall, and she wasn’t the only girl stood up for the sports field.

David Peterson, who doesn’t play footy, said that he wanted to participate from the start. 

But Lachlan Martin says it’s easier scoring goals in AFL than it is to dance, though he admitted that he had  fun trying. 

“I can tell you one thing – the El Paso is harder than it looks. We could have used more than six weeks of practice,” he said. 

“I’d probably do it a second time if the opportunity comes up again.”

On cue, attendee Chloe Thompson - swept away by the charm of the occasion - plucked the courage to offer Lachlan the opportunity he was looking for to don his tux again next year and take part in the 2019 Debutante Ball. 

“Yes, I’d love to, if they do exactly the same dance,” he said.

READ MORE: Inverell Debs step out in the 2016 Ball