DEBUTANTE BALL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 2

DEBUTANTE BALL

OLD GIRLS OF ST. MARY’S CONVENT

The annual ball of St. Mary’s Convent Old Girls’ Association was held in the Winter Garden last evening, and was outstandingly successful. The 33 debutantes, all former pupils of the convent, were an attractive group in their pretty white frocks against which the colours of their bouquets, the gifts of the association, showed to advantage. A pleasing feature of the ball was the large number of. parents and a fair sprinkling of grandparents who attended to watch the presentation ceremony which was carried out most efficiently. The debutantes, who had been trained by Miss E. Cornyns Thomas, were presented to Bishop Joyce by Mrs J. F. Skedden, president of the Old Girls’ Association. The Bishop shook hands with each girl and wished her well. The debutantes then joined their partners for the debutante dance which evoked spontaneous applause from the other guests. Bishop Joyce congratulated the debutantes on their entry into the social life of the city and reminded them of the debt they owed to their parents, teachers, pastors, and friends who had prepared them for the important days that lay ahead of them. The official guests included the Bishop, the Rev. Father Bergin, the rector of St. Bede’s College (the Rev. Father M. Burke), the Rev. Father J. Curnow, Miss Cornyns Thomas, Mr and Mrs A. Wills, and representatives of the following kindred associations: St. Bede’s College, St. Kevin’s College, St. Patrick’s College, Sacred Heart College, Villa Maria. St. Margaret’s College, Dominican Ex-Pupils’ Association, Alumnae of the Sacred Heart. Xavier College, and Rangi-ruru School.

Mrs Skedden wore a frock of black lace over ice blue taffeta with full skirt and square neckline trimmed with sequins. The vice-president (Mrs M. Husband) wore a frock of powder blue brocade embossed with full skirt and V-neckline. The secretary (Miss P. Bennett) wore a gold brocade frock with full skirt falling in unpressed pleats at the back. It had a fitting bodice with halter neckline. Miss Thomas wore a patterned taffeta frock with large rose, green and ivory flowers on a brown ground. The debutantes were:—Misses Margaret Whalan, Anita Sheen, Margaret Baker, Maria Eastgate, Colleen Butler, Nola McEneany. Margaret Ryan, Marv Lloyd, Erina Mac Shane. Margaret Sutherland, Jillian Austen, Janet Eales, Diana Goodall, Maryrose Leech. Pauline Nolan, Glennis O’Donnell, Aileen Ashton, Eileen McGuire, Lynette Morlev, Robinette Richards, Margaret Inglis, Jeanette Bunz, Jeanette Talbot. Judith Saunders, Maureen Woodham, Eleanor Sullivan, Patricia Fullen, Claudette Morel, Lois Roper, Bernadette Heaphy. Anne Robins. Janice Callaghan, and Bernadette Leonard.

The ball was organised by the following committee: president, Mrs Skedden; vice-presidents, Mesdames M. Husband, and K. Davey; Mesdames R. McNabb. A. O’Connell: Misses M. Donovan, J. Byrne, P. O’Sullivan, P. Bennett, M. Mahoney, M. Tyler, and M. Campbell.