Debutantes
The social tradition of the ‘debutante’ has its beginnings in the late seventeenth century in Europe although there is evidence that the ‘presentation to society’ of a young girl dates back to even earlier times. In European society, presentation to the king or queen in the court was the highlight of the summer season.1
In Britain the summer ‘season’ saw a round of balls and dances at which the debutantes’ parents hosted often more than ‘two hundred guests who danced in the first floor drawing-room, converted into a ballroom for the night and decorated with spring flowers’.2 Similar private events were held in Australia, particularly prior to the Second World War. The Advertiser on 7 May 1938 reports on a article about a private ball for 2 debutantes at the South Australian Hotel the previous evening.3
In Australia, the debutante’s entrance to society was no less grand and often took the form of a private dance or, more usually, a ball organised by schools (past scholars’ associations), local institute dance committees, or charity organisations. Presentation was usually to a local dignitary, politician or church leader. Pre and after-ball parties were either held at home or in hotels.
For example, on 18 August 1948, eight debutantes were presented to the Mayor and Mayoress of Campbelltown at a ball held by the Magill Institute of Magill Road.4
Do you know who these girls and their partners were? Do you have a photograph you would like to share with the community? Contact Helen, Local History Officer, on 8366 9357 or hthiselton@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.
Debutante balls have many similarities with the formal dances which are now held at the end of school years. One difference is that the debutante usually wore a white dress and long gloves and carried a bouquet.
Photograph of eight debutantes and their partners making their debut at the Highland Ball held in 1955. They are accompanied by three small children. State Library of South Australia BRG 347/6926 Arthur Family Photographic Collection.
The Adelaide Town Hall was a popular venue for debutante balls. This photo is of Felicity Varacalli and her Police Cadet escort at the Combined Masonic Lodges of South Australia Debutante Ball in approximately 1987.
Thanks to Jim Nelson, who owns the copyright and has given permission for it to be included in this article.
An interesting tradition has been the holding of dances for ‘miniature debutantes’ – usually girls in primary school.7 The photo of a miniature debutante ball below illustrates that the gowns and boys’ attire was no less elaborate than that of their older sisters and brothers!
Researched and compiled by Di Booker, a volunteer with the Campbelltown ‘Digital Diggers’ group.
If you have any comments or questions regarding the information in this local history article, please contact the Local History officer on 8366 9357 or hthiselton@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.
References
Oswald, Diana 2013 Debutantes: When glamour was born New York, Rizzoli International Publications pages 1-2
De Courcy, Anne 2003 1939: The last season London, Phoenix page 37
Dance for two debutantes, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Saturday 7 May 1938 p 27, viewed 3 August, 2015, http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/30866508
Social Notes, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Tuesday 17 August 1948 p 5, viewed 3 August, 2015, http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/74647924
Pretty Debutantes News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) Wednesday 20 June 1934 p 6, viewed 3 August, 2015, http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/128433986
State Library of South Australia, Arthur Family Photographic Collection BRG 347/6926
Tiny Debutantes, News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) Friday 16 September 1938 p 4, , viewed 3 August, 2015, http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131534871