Roseleigh the Witchery is sponsoring a debutante ball for youths in Wagga who have missed for reasons such as financial and social circumstances.

Kate Wendt, managing director of Black Widow which is also sponsoring the ball, said the ball is alternative. 

This is because they have done away with the exclusionary practices of debutante balls, where religious background, ethnicity, gender and sexuality prevented young people from making their debut, she said. 

“Willow, one of my daughters, was looking to make her debutante ball in Wagga,” Ms Wendt said.

“There is only one and they reached their intake, but I had a spare ballroom and said why don’t you organise it and so it came along.” 

Ms Wendt said the young adults taking part in the ball have very little or no family, friends, or social connections, in Wagga. 

“Not only are we teaching traditional dances, but we are holding deportment and team-building classes which will assist young people with further skills and development within the corporate world,” she said.

“We are teaching them it doesn’t matter what social station you are born into, you can success with the right skills.

“In an ever-changing society it is vital to support and celebrate our young people and their individuality.”

Ms Wendt said not only have the debutantes dedicated three hours a week, but all the trainers have volunteered their time. 

“It has been an interesting journey over eight weeks,” she said. 

“Some of these youths were so shy, but now they all have opinions and they have made the debutante ball their own.” 

The inaugural event will take place on August 18, and will feature the debut of the young adults, traditional dances, speeches, a three-course meal and celebratory cake. 

 Ms Wendt said the theme of the ball is ‘Fire and Ice’, to celebrate the end of winter and the heralding of spring. 

Ms Wendt is encouraging the Wagga community to buy tickets and show them all their hard work will pay off. 

“We are hoping to make this an annual event,” she said. 

Tickets can be purchased by calling Roseleigh the Witchery on 6928 4420 or purchasing directly from the office at 87 Kincaid Street, Wagga. 

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