Sixteen debutantes and their partners were presented to Matron of Honour Marina Maas at the Deb of the Year Ball on Friday night.
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This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Deb of the Year ball, which is hosted by Swimming Gunnedah.
Kaitlin Smith was named Deb of the Year and and Bayley Williams was named Partner of the Year. Lucy Wilkinson was runner-up Deb of the Year.
Kaitlin was sashed by 2017 Deb of the Year Merryn Riley who was partnered by Liam Novley. This year’s judges were Alan and Susan Taber, and Toni and Adam King.
The flower girls were Maggie Brown, Arabella Holmes and Lylah Tindall, and the debs and their partners were taught by dancer Paula Carmody.
Swimming Gunnedah life member Belinda Dawson said this year’s theme was ruby.
“It was a successful night for the club and the debs and their partners were lovely young ladies and gentlemen, so it all really well,” she said.
Mrs Dawson said Marina Maas was chosen as Matron of Honour because of her mother Mikie’s connection to the swimming club and a swimming award under her name.
Swimming Gunnedah life member Marie Hobson said the Deb of the Year ball was born from an idea of foundation member Dan Killick after the Priest family donated a Citizen watch to the club to use as a fundraiser. This tradition continues with Regency Jewellers.
“Dan was a powerhouse in the club – he served on the committee and taught swimming and water polo. He also represented the club in both,” Mrs Hobson said.
“He never missed the Deb of the Year ball, always helping to set up and stay behind for the clean-up.
“Dan served for decades as a referee and trained myself and many others to be technical officials and referees. He had no children and the club was his family.”
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