There will be no belles of the Catholic ball on Friday night.
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The annual debutante event has been postponed by the Catholic Schools Office until further notice because of the risk of coronavirus.
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The Gunnedah Combined Catholic Schools' P&F made the announcement on Monday afternoon, saying "our hearts are broken for the girls and their partners as they have been practising so very hard".
"To get so close to the big night and to have it postponed is devastating to all, and no doubt it was a hard decision to make but certainly the right one," P&F member Georgina Nichols said.
"We thank all the girls, partners and their families for being so understanding, as well as the business and services we've had to cancel and postpone at the last minute.
"We are working through guest ticket refunds."
To get so close to the big night and to have it postponed is devastating to all.
- Georgina Nichols, Gunnedah Combined Catholic Schools' P&F
Sixteen debutantes and their partners have been preparing for the bohemian-themed ball in the Gunnedah Town Hall for some months.
"Discussions will be held with the organising community to reschedule the event later in the year," Ms Nichols said.
"It will be a fabulous event and something everyone will look forward to after these tough times."
The 45th Rotary Club of Gunnedah West ball on April 3 was also postponed as of Monday. Fourteen debs and their partners are nominated for the ball.
The postponement of the balls will also affect the date of Swimming Gunnedah's Deb of the Year Ball, which is usually held mid-year.
Deb co-organiser Di Hobden said "it's extremely disappointing that the other two balls have been postponed" but "no decisions have been made as yet" about the Deb of the Year event.