‘Flight of Fancy’ essentially refers to an idea that is out of reach, impractical and implausible. So for the Kaniva Lions Club in late 2023 and early 2024, the idea of hosting a Debutante Ball was just that”¦A Flight of Fancy. But thank goodness for reality!
Rumors abounded and there appeared to be a ground swelling of support for the event from potential participants and parents. A meeting was held and the decision made to offer these young people the opportunity to participate in an event that they had longed to be involved in.
Fast forward to Friday 20th September and nine Debutantes and their Partners dressed in stunning gowns and elegant suits were presented to the 201V2 District Governor, Lion Michelle Challis OAM and Lion Phillis Challis OAM and a hall filled with over 250 guests, including family, friends and members of the community.
The Debutante Set were trained by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Twigden and Mrs. Jenny Marshell from Bordertown who have travelled to Kaniva since the 7th August for the rehearsals. Our trainers love dancing and want nothing more than to give younger people the opportunity to learn a new and very different skill to what they might currently be involved in. Our Deb Set certainly enjoyed the weekly Wednesday evenings held at the Church of Christ Hall.
Throughout the evening the music was provided by Mrs. Lois Miller from Yanac.
Kaniva Lions Club President, Lion Malcolm Eastwood was extremely proud of the Debutante Set in the way they presented themselves on Friday evening and thanked them for the time and effort they had put into the rehearsals.
Whilst a committee consisting of Libby Witmitz, Louise Rowe, Diane Eastwood, Penny Gordon and Lisa Stimson took care of logistics, Lion Malcolm highlighted the fact that conducting events such as this is not possible without a huge amount of support from outside our small Club. LINK Neighbourhood House organised the ticket sales, Kaniva Playgroup supplied a delicious supper, WWSC provided a grant to assist in funding for the event and K Tink Photography photographed our stunning couples.
The Kaniva Lions Club would like to congratulate our Debutante Set of 2024 and thank everyone who has been involved in any way.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 25 September 2024.
