21st Anniversary Ball

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 2

21st Anniversary Ball

Debutantes who made their curtsies at the St. Mary’s Convent Old Girls’ Association annual debutante ball at the Winter Garden last evening entered the ballroom through a flower-flanked archway in the form of the figure 21. The occasion also marked the twenty-first anniversary of the association.

Twenty debutantes were presented to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby) by the president of the association (Mrs S. E. Alexander). Escorted by their fathers,

and carrying blue and white posies which were gifts of the association, the debutantes were: Misses Erin Anderson, Helen Gibson, Rosemary Jenkins, Kay Kennard, Helen Kotloski, Julie Mahar, Granya Mooney, Lesley Murray, Fidelma McCrea, Rosanna McCully, Mary Mclntosh, Trina O’Bryne, Patricia O’Sullivan, Mary Sanders, Anne Simpson, Catherine Sinclair, Rosemary Small, Diana Summerfield, Kathleen Walsh, and Anne Woods. Autumn flowers in the shades of lemon, pink and gold decorated the ballroom. In the lounge and foyer, chrysanthemums backed by flax and fluffy toi-toi were arranged. Blue and white was the theme for the floral decorations on the supper tables and official alcove.

After the presentations, the debutantes performed a gavotte, for which they had been trained by Miss E. Cornyns Thomas. During the evening the association’s birthday cake was cut by Mrs D. Skeddon, a past president. The president (Mrs Alexander) paid tribute to the work done by Miss Cornyns Thomas over the years in training the debutantes, and presented her with a bouquet. The guests were received by Mrs Alexander, who w’as wearing a gown of gold lurex brocade designed on Empire lines, which featured a back cowl and floating panel in chiffon, caught at the shoulder with Dior roses. Matching Bow Mrs J. Husband, vice-presi-dent, wore a gown of deep sapphire blue delustred satin. Sleeveless and styled with a scooped neckline, its skirt fell into folds on the hip-line, and was finished with a matching bow, Mrs R. Steel, a vice-presi-dent of the Association, wore a gown in beige brocade patterned in autumn tonings. The skirt featured unpressed pleats and the draped bodice and narrow shoulder straps were in brown velvet. The association’s secretary, Mrs M. Adamson, chose a gown of emerald, green lurex brocade. Designed with a scooped neckline and sheath skirt, it was finished with a back cowl in matching nylon. Specially invited guests were Monsignor J. Flnerty, the Rev. Father J. Nicholas, secretary to the Bishop, the Rev. Father C, Crocker, S.M., and the Rev. Father J. Fitzsimmons, S.M., representing St. Mary's Parish, the Very Rev. L. Evatt (rector of St. Bede’s College), Mrs Dorothy Skedden, a past-presi-dent of the association, Mr and Mrs J. Malone, representing St. Mary’s Parochial School P.T.A., Miss E. Cornyns Thomas, and members of the clergy from the city parishes. Representatives from kindred associations included Dominican Colleges Ex-pupils’ Association, Sacred Heart College PastPupils’ Association, St. Bede’s College Old Boys’ Association, Xavier College Old Boys' Association, Villa Maria College Old Girls’ Association, St. Margaret’s College Old Girls’ Association, Rangi-ruru Old Girls’ Association, Avonside High School Old Girls’ Association, Te Wai Pounamu Old Girls’ Association, and West High School Old (Jiris’ Association. Members of the committee which organised the ball were:—Mesdames S. E. Alexander, J. Husband, R. Steel, M. Adamson. V. Leemlng, D. George, R. Arney, K. Duncan, W. Harris, R. McNabb, F. Devonport, F. Bullock, Misses S. O'Neill, J. Bennett, C. CosgriS, and J. Richie.