They presented themselves to Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, and performed a dance they had spent weeks rehearsing.

They did it so elegantly that they performed it twice. 

It was an enchanted evening like no other for the eight young women who made their debut at Maitland Community Special Needs Debutante Ball on August 5 at Telarah Bowling Club. 

They marked the milestone with their partners, flower girls Montana Renshaw and Ruby Crick, and their family and friends. 

“There were lots of smiles and laughs … It was a fabulous night,” organiser Joleen Mihalic said. “Everyone was on cloud nine, the families were so thankful and appreciative of everything that was put into it. 

“They all looked so beautiful in their dresses, their families did so well choosing suitable dresses that fitted them and they had their beautiful gloves and a wrist corsage.

“They all had their hair and their makeup done and they all looked stunning.”

Ms Mihalic said each debutante had strong family support as they marked the milestone. 

“It’s made them feel part of the community and that they can achieve just about anything that they put their heart and mind to,” she said. 

“A lot of them were up dancing and really let their hair down and had a good night.”

Jenny Hitchcock and her daughter, Ms Mihalic, decided to organise the event after they were guests at a debutante ball in Newcastle earlier this year. 

Debutante Gabi Reibel’s mother Wilma praised the organisers, volunteers and businesses who helped make the night possible. 

“All the girls and their partners – and their family – enjoyed it thoroughly and we appreciate Jenny and her daughter and heaps of other helpers that put it on to ensure they had that opportunity,” she said. 

“They were so excited to get dressed and get their makeup done and their hair.Gabi still has blisters on her feet from dancing.”

The debutantes and their partners were Karley Moran and Bailey Crick, Holly Cooper and Graeme Munro, Lucy Cooper and Steven Munro, Lianna Creighton and Alex Simpson, Gabrielle Reibel and Dominic Camey– Allen, Shariah McDonald and James Whiteley, Laura Scrace and Jackson Nelson, and Hayley Quick and David Quick. 

Ms Hitchcock and Ms Mihalic will hold another ball in 2019, and could hold one as early as next year, if there is enough interest. Young women with special needs, who will be over the age of 16 during the event, should register their interest. 

Phone Joleen on 0414 712 515 or Jenny on 0412 803 324, or message their debutante ball page on Facebook.