“My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Wee Waa community and everyone who stepped up to make the ball happen for these beautiful young girls,” said Lion Connie Smith.
For more than 20 years, Mrs Smith has been the key organiser of the much-loved Lions Club debutante ball, however, an unexpected health issue meant she had to step back this year.
“I threw a spanner in the works,” she told the Wee Waa News.
“I’m recovering now but I was in hospital for nine days and I got home the night of the ball.
“I was able to watch Mikey, my grandson, walk out as the page boy which was special – I was blown away.”
Mrs Smith is in good health now but said she is in complete awe of the community members who rallied together to make sure the 2024 debutantes could still dazzle.
“It just shows community spirit in a small town runs high,” she said.
“We didn’t have our dance instructor Lyle Cathcart this year after he sadly passed away, but Helen his wife phoned me and kindly said she’d be there and would fill in for me and do the presentations.
“Kerry Crutcher with the help of her husband Jamie stepped up to oversee the decorating – they were a great help.
“All the parents of the girls helped and local businesses, the Palmers and bakery helped to make desserts.
“Bruce Gray came out and picked up the shipping container full of things for the deb.
“The Lions Club took over the meals with the help of Annette Holland.
“Vanessa Constable was the MC.
“I mean, I thought we might have to call it off, but everyone jumped in to help, everything just got done and everything was amazing.
“Thank you to everyone who made it happen.”
Flower girl Joycee Byrne. Photos kindly supplied by Penny Vella.
The ball was held at the Wee Waa Bowling Club on Saturday April 6.
Mrs Smith said seeing the photos taken by local photographer Penny Vella really lifted her spirits.
“They all looked beautiful, and the Rose Street gardens are always a beautiful location for photos and it’s kind they let us take them there.
“The girls all sent me little snaps of them getting ready for the day, getting their hair and nails done.
“They’re a really special group of young people.
“My daughter Jessica was the matron too – they all looked gorgeous.
“We had new dance teachers this year – Cecile and Chris Gleeson from Narrabri.
“They changed the tone of the ball to rock and roll.
“So, the main dance was called the rock and roll waltz and then for the fun dance they did the jive, so there was a spectacular display of different dances.
“I’m very proud and extremely, extremely overwhelmed by the generosity of all the caring people in our community,” said Mrs Smith.
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