It was a night they won’t forget, 15 debutantes and their partners danced and enjoyed a magical evening at the Leeton Soldiers Club.
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Now in its 58th year, the proud Scottish Debutante Ball tradition continues to offer a night for the debutantes and their partners to shine.
The evening’s formalities began with a procession of bagpipers entering the auditorium of the Soldiers Club to the applause of over 300 guests.
One by one the debutantes and their partners entered the room before being announced.
Ray Watson, Cindy and Craig Henderson and Richard and Karen Keith all shared in the honour of overseeing the proceedings.
Chelsea Axtill felt the night was the point where friendship and hard work all came together.
“It was a really good group of girls this year,” she said.
“We were all really excited.
“I was not nervous until we were lined up right outside in the Rapps Room and they started playing the bagpipes.”
The dances came together after seven weeks of practice, and in spite of the hard work everyone had fun.
“It was something that we all wanted to do as friends and that we all liked doing together,” she said.
“I didn’t do it just for me.
“All the boys seemed to be really into it, I think they liked it more than we did.”
Committee member Anne Lepper said for an event that has been around for more than half a century still manages to offer surprises.
“We’ve never had triplets before,” said Mrs Lepper.
“This year we had the Macauley triplets, and what a privilege to have triplets.”
The tradition is one that is proudly continued by the five member committee who ensure the Scottish Debutante Ball will be around for future generations.
“I’ve got a grandson and a granddaughter that I’d like to see be flower girl and page boy one day,” she said.
I just love the tradition, it’s very important and the longer we can keep it going the better.”
The Scottish Debutante Ball had been held in the hall at the Leeton Showgrounds when Mrs Lepper made her debut.
She remembers the commitment her mother made to continuing the tradition and Mrs Lepper feels proud to have picked up where her Mum left off.
“All the tartan rugs and tea towels are from our mothers and grandmothers,” Mrs Lepper said.
“So they go back a long way.”
The close-held tradition is one that Mrs Lepper feels has something for everyone.
“It’s an interesting night, even if you don’t dance you can still be there and enjoy the entertainment,” Mrs Lepper said.
