Smoke choked the evening sky from back burning across Old Toongabbie but soot did not stop hundreds of ‘Cinderellas’ and ‘Prince Charmings’ from attending one of Greater Sydney’s premier balls for young adult Catholics – the Annual Campion College Ball on Saturday 15 October.
Photos: Diocese of Parramatta Flickr
The 2016 theme was ‘Before Midnight’, inspired by the story of Cinderella. A sparkled slipper decorated the bar. The ladies embraced the theme with several tiaras decorating outfits. The gentlemen dressed formally, the majority in lounge suit, several wearing black tie and one noticeable gentleman wore white tie with coat tails.
Young adults gathered from interstate, as far as Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra, Wagga Wagga and Albury. Youth group members from across the Diocese of Parramatta were also in attendance, including those from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville.
Fr Piotr Kruk OP, College Chaplain said a Vigil Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady and St Bernard at 5.30pm to commence the evening.
Dr Paul Morrissey, President of Campion College gave a brief address to welcome visitors to the College and opened the double doors at the entrance with a dramatic flourish to begin the festivities.
Plentiful h’orderves and drinks sated the gathered crowd on the warm evening. The dance floor pavilion was packed to capacity, with swing dancing and more contemporary moves.
Creeping ivy, fairy lights and candles decorated the outdoor area and lead inside, where groups could get professional photographs.
Felicity Cummins, one of the organisers, remarked, “It’s been a great night. More have shown up than expected. The numbers are close to 230 people.”
The Catholic Ball season now includes the Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Youth Organisation Grand Ball, held for the first time on 30 September. The Warrane College Ball, the UNSW Catholic Cruise and ACSA Ball are other notable events in the season.
Organisers of other balls on the young Catholic Ball season were present, including the Society Ball at the University of Sydney and The University of Notre Dame Ball.
Well done to the organising committee and all who volunteered on the night.
Special congratulations to Seamus Coulson, Felicity Cummins and Nick Augimeri, the Executive of the Campion College Student Association.
Photos: Diocese of Parramatta. Photographer: Jordan Grantham. To view a gallery of images: Diocese of Parramatta Flickr
