Debutantes never out of fashion in Miles

It might seem like something of an old fashioned tradition, but according to organisers it's the youth who are leading the charge.

FAMILY TRADITION: Jan Mullins at her debut in 1958 in Miles. Picture: Contributed

IT MIGHT seem like something of an old fashioned tradition, but according to organisers it's the youth who are leading the charge to celebrate the Miles Debutante Ball these days.

Local debutantes will dance the night away this Saturday, and event coordinator and Anglican Church representative Cecily Brockhurst couldn't be happier to see an age-old tradition continue.

"It's just terribly rewarding and I must admit we had the first practice last Monday evening and I was so thrilled to see them all enjoying themselves so much and in two hours they learned three lovely dances,” Mrs Brockhurst said.

"It was very uplifting really to see the young people take it on board and embrace the whole atmosphere.”

The debutantes' excitement gave Mrs Brockhurst every reason to believe in a bright future for the event which she's been involved in for about 40 years.

"It did almost probably die out and wasn't as fashionable about 20 years ago maybe,” Mrs Brockhurst said.

"There was quite a lull, but just the most recent years it's the girls that are motivating us to continue to hold these functions because they're so excited and so keen and seem to be preparing ahead.

"So it's really driven by those young people and their passion to do it, so whilst they're so keen - I sometimes feel maybe we could let this go, but no - the young people are really driving it.”

Caitlin Steel is just one of those excited debutantes eager for the swiftly approaching event.

Her grandmother, Jan Mullins, made her debut in Miles 61 years ago, followed by her mother Fleur Steel in 1987.

"It's something I've always wanted to do, every woman in my family has made their debut before me, so all my cousins, my aunties, all at Miles, my sister as well,” Miss Steel said.

"I did flower girl twice and now it's my turn to wear the white dress!”

The family takes the tradition seriously, with each woman's dress stored at her grandmother's home where they are displayed as part of a collections tour for Miles' Back to the Bush festival.

It's a showcase of debutante and wedding fashion history spanning six decades, including her grandmother's original debutante dress from 1958.

"Everyone loves to have a look at it,” Miss Steel said.

Of course though, no ball would be complete without the partners, and Mrs Brockhurst made special mention of the boys who are involved each year.

"Sometimes boys at those teenage years are quite reticent to become involved in community functions and they don't want to be seen to be dancing, or doing this sort of thing,” Mrs Brockhurst said.

"But these boys are really keen and really embracing it so I would really like to congratulate them on stepping up and acting like perfect gentlemen with the girls.”

The ball will be held at the Leichhardt Centre on Saturday from 6pm with tickets available at the door.