Recently Mary Porter attended two debutante balls, for young indigenous women and the second for older women who are members of the Belconnen Senior Citizens' Club.

Mary with debutants Gaj Hoolihan and Jessica Johnson with partners

Mary had never had the opportunity to be a debutante herself and whilst researching her speeches for both events Mary discovered that a debutante ball "is a way of introducing young women of social standing to the public and stems from the time when a daughter of marriageable age needed to find a husband of suitable and similar social standing."

Many debutantes at the Senior Citizen ball had been young women during World War II when there was simply no money for fancy dresses and dancing lessons and in many instances there beaus were overseas or if they were not they "did not dance".

One of those who made her debut was Marg Grimley of Scullin who finally persuaded her husband Mal to partner her.

Marg was one of 13 women between the age of 58 and 80 to be presented to society, albeit a little later than usual.

"Whilst they were very different events, it was a great privilege to have the honour to receive both these groups of fine women" Mary said.