After 15 years, the Narrungdera Yulang Committee proudly brought back a powerful community tradition, hosting the Aboriginal Debutante Ball “Walking in Two Worlds” last week.

The evening was a remarkable celebration of culture, family and community, marking a moment many had been waiting years to see return.

Held at the Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club, the event welcomed 250 guests who gathered to witness 19 debutantes and eight flower girls take part in a beautiful evening of pride, culture and connection.

The room was filled with family, Elders, friends and supporters who came together to celebrate these young women stepping forward in both the cultural and contemporary worlds they walk in every day.

The night was guided by the presence of respected community members and guests of honour including Aunty Joy O’Hara, Uncle Mick Lyons, Aunty Cindy and Owen James, Aunty Jean and Joe Galuzzo, along with the guard leader for the evening, Richard Gilbert, and the event’s eight guards, who proudly supported the debutantes throughout the formalities.

The committee was also honoured to have Narrandera Shire Mayor Neville Kschenka and his wife Carmel attend the evening and share in the celebration with the community.

One of the most powerful moments of the night came through culture and dance. A heartfelt thanks goes to Talia Gilbert, who dedicated her time to choreographing and teaching the debutantes and their partners a traditional dance.

This performance was truly the highlight of the evening, bringing culture to the centre of the celebration and creating a moment that will be remembered by everyone in the room.

Organisation of an event of this scale took many months of planning, organisation and community collaboration. The success of the evening was made possible through the hard work and dedication of the committee Noka Prior, Vivian Christian, Keira Blowes and Kristy Greedy, supported by an incredible sub-committee who continually stepped up, gave their time and ensured every detail came together.

A sincere thank you also goes to the Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club, whose generous in-kind support and sponsorship helped make the event possible.

Special thanks to Manager Greg and the club staff, who went above and beyond to support the night and ensure everything ran smoothly.

More than just a formal event, Walking in Two Worlds was a celebration of identity, culture and community strength. It honoured the past while supporting the next generation to stand proudly in who they are.

After 15 years, the return of the Aboriginal Debutante Ball showed just how powerful community can be when people come together. It was a night filled with pride, laughter, emotion and culture and one that will be remembered for many years to come.