The origin of debutante balls was that the woman was old enough to be married, and part of the purpose of her coming out was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select circle. These balls were popular on the Island and held at the Shire Hall in Thompson Ave.HistoricalBlack and white photo of group of debutantes in white gowns with posies, dance instructor and Mrs Leggatt, wife of local MP Sir William Leggatt. Allan Murray was the photographer.List of names of debutantes, dance instructor, dignitary and photographer. Also notes re problems with photos from the night.Charlotte Cleeland's deb photo 1949. also names as above.photograph, charlotte cleeland, debutantes phillip island, allan murray, john claringbold, val spokes, joan westley, ruth grayden, heather burton, gwen jackson, margery forrest, fay redpath, mrs mcadie, mrs dorothy leggatt, verna gawith, eileen jones, mrs anderson

Donated by Betty Bradley, one of the debutantes. Some names provided by Betty. Checked and others added by Elly Berryman and her mother, Charlotte Berryman nee Cleeland. 2/6/2020 Mrs Jones was the wife of the Shire president, Mr Arthur Jones and Mrs Leggatt was the wife of the MP for the area Sir William Leggatt.. June and Gladys Williams were sisters from Bass.Black & White photograph of Debutante Group. Back row: Carol Bennett, June Barton, June Williams, Betty Bradley, Marie Regos, Gloria Jenner [added by Elly Berryman 23/4/2024] Front row: Standing Mrs Sainsbury, Gladys Williams, Jean Denham, ??, Mrs Roz Jones, Mrs Dorothy Leggatt, Deidre Cleeland, Heather West, ?? Mrs Harry Harris debutantes phillip island, betty bradley, carol bennett, june barton, marie regos, jean denham, heather west, gladys williams, mrs harry harris, deidre cleeland, mrs roz jones

E E Matthews was our donor, Alice Robinson's grandmother. Alice was the debutante - nee Clark.345-01: A Certificate of Registration for E. E. Matthews from the Midwives Board, Victoria on the 11th January, 1917. 345-02: A small cardboard programme with 4 pages inside for dance programme of the Debutante Ball held at the Cowes Shire Hall on the 26th September 1947. Small white pencil attached.midwives certificate, e e matthews, debutante ball programme, alice clark, alice robinson