Notes: nine debs, Matron of Honour (centre) and three flower girls (left, right and centre front)
A debutante (from French: débutante, "female beginner") or deb is a young woman who has reached maturity and, as a new adult, comes out into society at a formal "debut" or possibly debutante ball. Originally, the term meant that the woman was old enough to be married, and part of the purpose of her coming out was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families, with a view to marriage.
In Australia, débutante balls (or colloquially "deb balls") are usually organised by high schools, church groups or service clubs, such as Lions or Rotary. The girls who take part are traditionally aged between 15 and 18, but some here are older. The event is often used as a fund-raiser for local charities.
The Australian debutante wears a white or pale-coloured gown similar to a wedding dress. However, the dress does not come with a train on the skirt, and the debutante does not wear a veil. The boy wears black tie or another formal dress suit.
It is customary for the female to ask a male to the débutante ball, with males not being able to accompany a "deb" unless they are asked. The débutantes and their partners must learn how to ballroom dance. Débutante balls are almost always held in a reception centre, school hall, the function room of a sporting or other community organisation venue e.g. RSL club, or ballroom. Usually they are held late in the year and consist of dinner, dancing, and speeches.
Adapted from link below
Format: silver gelatin negative, 4 ¾ " x 6 ½ " (12.1 cm x 16.5 cm) Kodak Royal Pan
Date Range: November 1958
Location: The Trocadero, Katoomba
Licensing: Attribution, share alike, creative commons
Repository: Blue Mountains Library library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
Part of Local Studies Collection: SS 16-01
Provenance: Souvenir Snapshots
Links:
Similar Masonic Ball in 1952 -
Six Charming "Debs" At Katoomba Masonic Ball (1952, October 2). The Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved August 9, 2021, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189746555
Debutante - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debutante
Notes: the Debs and partners with the Matron of Honour and Flower Girls
Format: silver gelatin negative, 4" x 5" (10 cm x 12.4 cm)
Date Range: 1958
Location: Lawson Literary Institute
Licensing: Attribution, share alike, creative commons
Repository: Blue Mountains Library - library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/
Part of Local Studies Collection: SS 25-2
Provenance: Souvenir Snapshots
Links:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debutante
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Charlotte%27s_Ball
Debutantes Presented At Masonic Ball (1951, September 27). The Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved February 10, 2021, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189744327
DEBUTANTE BALL AT GLENBROOK (1951, September 13). Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), p. 4. Retrieved February 10, 2021, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117920732
Six Charming "Debs" At Katoomba Masonic Ball (1952, October 2). The Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved February 10, 2021, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189746555
Notes: five Debs and the Matron of Honour with two Flower Girls
Format: silver gelatin negative, 4" x 5" (10 cm x 12.4 cm)
Date Range: 1958
Location: Lawson Literary Institute
Licensing: Attribution, share alike, creative commons
Repository: Blue Mountains Library - library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/
Part of Local Studies Collection: SS 25-2
Provenance: Souvenir Snapshots
Links:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debutante
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Charlotte%27s_Ball
Notes: nine debutante partners with the Matron of Honour
Format: silver gelatin negative, 4" x 5" Kodak Royal Pan
Date Range: November 1958
Location: The Trocadero, Katoomba
Licensing: Attribution, share alike, creative commons
Repository: Blue Mountains Library library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
Part of Local Studies Collection: SS 16-02
Provenance: Souvenir Snapshots
Links:
Similar Masonic Ball in 1952 -
Six Charming "Debs" At Katoomba Masonic Ball (1952, October 2). The Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW : 1940 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved August 9, 2021, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189746555
Debutante - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debutante
Notes: at the debutante ball, four flower girls in front, no Matron of Honour present
Format: silver gelatin negative, 4" x 5" (12.1 cm x 16.5 cm) Kodak Royal Pan
Date Range: 1962
Location: Katoomba, identified as the Trocadero below the Savoy Theatre, the windows would overlook Lurline Street at the rear of the building
Licensing: Attribution, share alike, creative commons
Repository: Blue Mountains Library library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
Part of Local Studies Collection: SS 19-38
Provenance: Souvenir Snapshots
Links: