Last Friday, July 7 15 women and girls aged from 16-47-years had their opportunity when they attended Forster’s first NAIDOC week debutante ball.

Dressed is long, white gowns and carrying a posy of red flowers, the women were escorted by a group of equally excited males and a dad.

Proud elder, uncle Roy Simon escorted his daughter Tanya, while a group of Simon family members travelled from Sydney to applaud the father and daughter pair.

More than 250 family and friends filled the Club Forster auditorium for the event, hosted by Homebase.

Co-organiser Margie Donnelly said the evening had been such a  success plans were in the pipeline to ensure it was a annual event on the calendar.

“A lot of young mums said they don’t get to dress up very often,” Margie said.

“And, in our culture you only seem to get together at funerals.”