HISTORY
with Wendy McMullin

AS the Palmwoods Memorial Hall celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is a good time to look back at some of the more memorable events.

This month’s column is an extract from the Chronicle of August 10, 1934 which reports the first Debutantes Ball to be held at the hall:

"Friday, August 3, proved a highly successful night both financially and socially for the convenors of the first Debutante Ball held in Palmwoods.

The function took place in the Memorial Hall and the organiser Mrs A. S. Lloyd and her assistants, are to be congratulated on the manner in which the performance was organised.

There were 23 juvenile debutantes whose ages ranged from 3-10 years. They presented a graceful and modest appearance.

Dressed in long gowns of shimmering lace and ivory satin, each carrying a posie of sweet peas and maiden-hair fern, they entered the Hall through a guard of honour formed by their young partners who were also in evening dress.

The Debutantes were escorted on to the stage by Miss Betty Dunning and Miss Mabel Martin as maids of honour, and Miss Dorothy Hickey and Miss Rene Rigg as flower girls, and presented to "Lord Mayor" (Master in Hickey) and the "Lady Mayoress" (Miss Marion Robinson) of Palmwoods. Master D Brownlie filled the position of Chairman during the presentation, after which the Debutantes were escorted by their juvenile partners to the supper-room where the Mayoress cut the cake and refreshments were served. Dancing by the juveniles followed until 9.30pm when the adults took the floor and a programme of old and new dances was carried on until 1am.

The Rev Father O’Brien (Parish Priest Nambour) and Mr F Nicklin MLA were also present. Mrs F Nicklin who was also present was presented with a sheaf of jonquils. The Cheerio Jazz Orchestra supplied the music and the extras by Miss P. McMullin.

The Debutantes presented were Misses Elizabeth Power, Daphne Wendt, Joyce Caplick, Betty Fulton, Betty Dunning, Maree Booth, Jeanette Fulton, Murial, Mavis and Vera Lingard, Kath and Patricia Thom, Kath Simpson, Ruth Davenport, Esme Harrison, Mavis Cameron, Leonie Dreir, Vera Spann, Ella Robinson, Daphne Martin, Olive Ballard, Avis Fielding and Eileen Hickey.

The partners were masters M and T Power, K Naskey, J.Dunning, A.Muirhead, Jack Thom, Jack Fulton, Claude Lingard, Keith Spann, Dave Bolingbroke, Graham and Jim Robinson, D.Muirhead, Jack Eagleton, J Hickey, Ray Rigg, Frank Harding, George Peerman, Gordon Mulrooney, Geo Thom, Tom Miller, and Jim Beattie."

Were you involved in this function? Do you have a photograph or any memories of this ball? If so, please phone Wendy McMullin on 5445 9145.