There were nervous butterflies and lifelong memories for the debutantes who danced through Hargreaves Mall on Friday night.
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Skies were clear for the second annual Bendigo Ball in the Mall initiative, which sees local businesses and community organisations gift young people a glamourous formal experience.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College student Emily Logan, who graduated from year 12 this week, was nervous – but excited – ahead of the event.
Family members from Queensland were in town to watch her debut, Emily said.
“It means a lot because I haven't done my deb before, and I've been wanting to do 17,” she said.
“Trying to learn the dances, that'd be the best part.”
Organiser Haylee Kennedy said the connection between the young people and contributing parties was heartening.
“To see they're supported by a network of community members who are offering them something special is really powerful,” Ms Kennedy said.
So inspiring was last year’s experience she left a retail career for work at headspace Bendigo, the city’s youth mental healthcare provider.
“I was so overwhelmed with the youth and what you can achieve by working with them,” she said.
The Ball in the Mall concept was also engaging its participants in the wider community.
Some of last year’s debutantes were now part of the organising committee, with more experienced members showing them the ropes of event management, Ms Kennedy said.