ONCE upon a time young women wearing white dresses attended a debutante ball as their formal introduction into society.

These days, it's a chance to get dressed up, have a great night out dancing with friends and family, and most importantly, celebrate their youth with the community.

Eleven young women from Roma State College and St John's made their debut at the Anglican Debutante Ball at the Cultural Centre on the weekend.

The debutantes and their partners learned two dances in their weeks of preparation as well as the procedure of being presented.

Deb ball coordinator Sheryl Arnold has been involved with the annual event for the past nine years.

"It's an old-fashioned idea that carries on the tradition of families and generations coming together to enjoy a night out.

"It would be lovely to see this tradition endure,” she said.

Bishop Cameron Venables said deb balls today served as a celebration of young life.

"This is an opportunity for the Anglican church to invite the community to come together and affirm these young men and women.”

Bishop Venables, who is based in Toowoomba and serves the south west Anglican community, said it was important that St John's Catholic School students took part in the event on Saturday night as well.

"In small communities in particular, it's important that Catholic and Anglican churches work together.

"We celebrate what we've got in common rather than what separates us,” he said.

The debutantes and their partners donated a gold coin at each dance practice towards the Chinese Orphans Assistance Team (COAT) charity.

As well as their donations, $5 from every ball ticket went directly to the COAT cause.

Debutantes and their partners: Jordan Byrnes and Dean Cosgrove; Sophia Tilbury and Ben Upton; Hailey Page and Jake Ayers; Gemma Tucker and Coley Richardson; Lilly Haddock and Tom See; Shae Collins and Jake Street; Ellen Barron and Simon Lynch; Kate Barron and Owen Williams; Emma Williams and Joshua Perske; Brooke Goodhew and Ben York; Abbie Just and Stephen Tukeke.

Maids of honour: Serena Sharpe and Anna Rowbotham

Flower girls: Rosie Miller; Heidi and Claire Sheridan.

Check out the photos below: