Lorraine & Bill
Dooley

Debutante Presentations

Debutante Presentations began out of a passion for dancing and teaching young people to dance!

It started 20 years ago when principals Lorraine and Bill Dooley taught a church group to dance for a debutante ball.   The demand on their time became such that they turned this love of teaching, flare and enthusiasm into a successful business!  

Currently, Debutante Presentations organise 7 to 8 Debutante Balls a year, inviting young ladies from anyway to join in. You don't need to make your Debut with your School, however the way we organise the groups you can still share this special night with your friends without the restrictions many schools impose. For that matter you don't have to be attending school. Young ladies who have chosen to undertake some form of employment during those tender years of 15 to 20 can still be part of this wonderful tradition.

Debutante Presentations offers experience and expertise to girls who wish to make their debut in style.  

Participants can be assured their evening will be a great success for themselves and their guests. Small groups of Debutantes (maximum of 20) ensure that there is plenty of time for Debutantes, Partners and their families and friends to party and dance together.

The evenings are professionally organised with tradition, sophistication, elegance and style.

Lorraine and Bill Dooley

Lorraine and Bill met at the Orama Ballroom in 1965 at a Learn to Dance dance.   Since then this building has been demolished but not the love of dancing shared by these two people.   Bill partnered Lorraine for her Debut in 1966.   Lorraine and Bill were married in 1968 and after giving birth to three children commenced "helping out" at their local church, teaching youth groups and Debutante groups to dance.    Before meeting Lorraine, Bill learnt dancing professionally and competed for the Mickey Powell Dance School becoming a member of the Australian Dancing Society.

Lorraine learnt dancing from following her parents and then later from the Learn to Dance dance where she met Bill. Lorraine and Bill have been dancing together for 41 years.

The Night of the Debutante Ball.....

On the evening of the Debutante Ball, Debutante and Partners are expected to arrive at the reception centre (Lakeside Banquet and Convention Centre is the preferred location) at 5.00pm.    Group photos and personal portraits are taken and a quick run through the dance routine to settle the nerves.    The evening commences with the partners forming a Guard of Honour for the introduction of the Official Guests.   After the first course of the meal is served then the Debutantes are presented.   This with speeches and all should take one hour, after this the remaining courses are served and the evening turns into one big party with an excellent function band (Gee Wizz the preferred band).   There is opportunity for all families to have Studio Quality Photos   taken. (Australian Formal Photography).

The room is decorated with Teddy Bears, with small bears used as centre pieces for the tables.   All tables are also set with table runners and place cards.

The evening concludes at 12.45 with each debutante and partner receiving a teddy bear on departure.

A professional DVD is taken on the evening.