Photo: Courtesy of Glamour Look Studios, Townsville RW Bro Phil Geertz, District Grand Master, District Grand Lodge of North Queensland with his wife, Marie, the Mayor of Townsville, Cr Les Tyrrell OAM with his wife, Pat, the Matron of Honour, Mrs Pat Hegh with Ladies-in-Waiting Mrs Liz Griffiths and Mrs Sandy Sanke, the Job’s Daughters Bethel representatives, flower girls and the 2011 debutantes.

Making her debut marks a significant milestone in the life of all young ladies fortunate enough to take part in the experience, and the annual Townsville Masonic Charity Debutante Ball provides a most wonderful mix of formality, historic custom, glitz and glamour and yet a truly memorable and joyous occasion for the debutantes, their partners and their attending family and friends.

An invitation to make her debut is extended to all young ladies, being 16 years or over.  On the evening of the ball each debutante is formally presented and received by the District Grand Master (the DGM) of the District Grand Lodge of North Queensland (DGL NQ), to the DGM’s wife, and also greeted by the Mayor of Townsville or representative when attending.

On a less frequent occasion the Freemasons also conduct a mature age debutante ball, either as a combined or separate event, for those ladies who missed an earlier opportunity in life to make their formal debut.

Full tuition is provided to prepare each debutante and their partner for the big occasion during the weeks leading up to each Ball - usually as six practices of an early Sunday evening, and two rehearsals on the Wednesday evenings prior to the Ball.  A tuition fee of just $70.00 per debutante applies.

Further information about our debutante ball is provided and can be downloaded from the website www.townsvilledebball.org.au.  See especially the “Debutante Information” pages.  Further information and guidance is provided during the practices and rehearsals for each Ball.  There is no registration fee applying and all interested debutantes, whether young or of mature age, are invited to register their interest at the earliest opportunity.

The Organising Committee

The annual debutante ball is organized and conducted by the Townsville Charity Debutante Ball Committee with certain patronage coming from the DGL(NQ).  Under the terms of its constitution membership of the Committee is open to all persons having a Masonic connection and/or having a common interest with the aims and principles of the Committee.  Each Committee member is required to pay a small annual membership subscription.  All office bearers are elected to office at the Annual General Meeting held in October of each year.  The Committee’s strength is further complemented by nominated representatives of the various Masonic craft lodges, and the chapters, etc of associated orders in Freemasonry that meet in the Townsville area.

The aims of the Committee are (1) to provide a wonderful and memorable evening for the debutantes, (2) raise moneys for local charitable, etc causes, and (3) show Freemasonry in a positive light as an institution working within and for the community.

For Further Information

Please contact the Secretary, Anne Latimer, telephone (07) 47889535 or email klats@optusnet.com.au using as your subject “Deb Ball”.