NFNC 20th Annual Debutante Ball

On Friday 3^rd of May and Saturday 4^th of May 2024, the Nathalia FNC Debutante Ball took us back to the 19^th century, Regency era for their 20^th Annual Debutante Balls.  As you walked through the garden in the foyer, you entered a ballroom from years past, graced with a beautiful drawing room adorning the stage. Bridgerton styling had arrived in Nathalia.

With this year being our 20^th Anniversary, it was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge those whose vision created this wonderful event for our club. It was wonderful to welcome back our MC Rod McLennan who for 10 consecutive years emceed our balls, who along with Nikita Pawlowicz kept our night moving smoothly and entertained us all with amusing antidotes and information about our debutantes and partners.  We also welcomed as our VIP’s this year Francis and Kerry Bourke along with some of our original Deb Ball committee, these were represented by Susan Narelle Ryan, Pam Limbrick, Elizabeth Quinn and Moira Bourke.

On Friday night 44 young adults were presented to our VIP’s, Francis & Kerry Bourke, original Deb committee members, Susan Narelle Ryan & Pam Limbrick, current Deb Ball co-coordinator, Nicole Reynolds and representing our trainers, Maddison Pawlowicz.

On Saturday night we had 40 young adults presented to Francis & Kerry Bourke, original Deb committee members, Elizabeth Quinn & Moira Bourke, current Deb Ball co-coordinator Regina Pawlowicz and representing our trainers Maddison Pawlowicz.

All of the debutantes and their partners danced perfectly in Regency style dances to modern music with a twist, playing instrumental music, creating an incredible atmosphere of watching young people at a ball.  Our dance trainers this year excelled in creating beautiful, theme inspired dances that held the audience captive.

Our design coordinating team of Dean, Kristy & Zara Limbrick along with the Pawlowicz family created a fabulously decorated hall that genuinely felt like a 19^th century building. Our wonderful catering coordinator, Paula Rudd, along with so many Purples volunteers provided a high-quality selection of food, they never fail to disappoint.  A massive thank you to all of you.

The Nathalia FNC would like to take the opportunity to thank our Deb Ball Committee of Nicole Reynolds, Rachel Russell, Simon Quarrell and Regina Pawlowicz for their commitment and hard work in ensuring that our Deb ball runs so smoothly. To our dance trainers Nikita and Maddison Pawlowicz and their assistant trainer Porsha Stuart, thank you, you certainly created a very special feeling for our debutantes and their families and the amazing dancing we saw on display was due to your hard work and creativeness in working with all the debutantes and their partners.

This year we said some goodbyes to some of our Deb Ball members, Nicole Reynolds as a committee member & Nikita Pawlowicz as trainer are both saying goodbye after many years working within the deb ball committee. Simon Quarrell, our longest serving member having started with the 1^st Debutante Ball, after serving in his role for 20 years is retiring and after 18 years of involvement with the balls, Regina Pawlowicz has also decided it is time to retire.  The club would like to acknowledge their contributions and commitment to ensuring the ongoing success of our debutante balls.

To our volunteer coordinators, Hayley Summerville, Craig Kellow and Colleen Lewer, thank you.

And lastly to our dedicated volunteers, 20 years of tirelessly assisting with everything that comes with hosting a debutante ball, none of this can happen without our amazing “Purple Army”, you are all major contributors to this wonderful event.

 Friday Night

Back Row: Nikita Pawlowicz, Eva Iannuci, Jet Mathers, Bridie Wilson, Ned Frostick Mackenzie O’Dwyer, Joel Jezewski, Claudia Plum, Baz McDonald, Maddison Pawlowicz

4th Row: Max Lebner, Mia Nye, Adam Champagne, Layla Haverfield, TylerCole, Angelina DeMaio, Jack Dobson, Bindi Stuart, Will O’Connell, Taylor Waldron

3rd Row: Chelsea Dealy, Kerry Bourke, Ned Eliott, Bella Cavallaro, Kristian Bovalina, Jorja Kelly, Patrick Ryan, Ella Dealy, Connor Ciccone, Charlie Payne, Francis Bourke, Archie Vallender

2nd Row: Clarinda De Maio, Pauliasi Degei, Thomas Masters, Harry Barnes, Joseph Allen, Harry Moon, Rocco Johns, Wade Mele, Sonny Rowe, Brodie Wren, Hannah Watson

Front Row: Beth Pellegrino, Dakota Kelly, Lottie Opray, Ruby Sprunt, Tahlia Muller, Alina Corso, Savannah Zoch

Saturday Night

Back Row: Darcy Edis, Skai McConnell, Jordan Ibbot, Adeline Hutchinson, Connor McIlveen, Claudia Plattfuss, Joshua Dohnt, Hannah O’Brien, Nikita Pawlowicz

4th Row: Matilda Altoft, Jacl Wiles, Tully Jones, Oliver Mynard, Taneya Lee, Cameron McDonald, Madison Brewer, Lockie O’Brien, Maddison Pawlowicz, Porsha Stuart

3rd Row: Kerry Bourke, Savannah Payne, Joseph Crisara, Catarina Pawlowicz, Harry Rudd, Kiana Guligo, Caleb Sutton, Amber Watson, Bryce Stevens, Francis Bourke

2nd Row: Lara Bourke, Lauren Cobbledick, Tanner Rankin, Joe Barker, Jake Buckland, Ethan Cornell, Cody Harris-Cunningham, Tasman Baker, William Brooks, Tristian Kendall, Cianah Stivala, Tate Butler

Front Row: Kate Purtill, Emily Harry, Ally Bloodworth, Beth Brown, Shaylee Dietrich, Scarlett Eddy