Australia
In Australia, débutante balls (or colloquially "deb balls") are usually organised by high schools, church groups or service clubs such as Lions or Rotary. The girls who take part are in either Year 11 or 12 at high school (i.e. aged between 16-18) and the event is often used as a fund-raiser for local charities. Although still popular in many country towns, there is no pressure on most girls to 'make their debut'. In some circles, it may still be seen as a rite of passage for the elite upper class.
The debutante girl wears a white dress similar to a wedding dress, however the dress does not come with a train on the skirt and the debutante does not wear a veil. The boy wears a tuxedo or other formal dress suit.
Most Australian schools have replaced the deb ball with a "formal", similar to the American concept of a prom. The formal, like a débutante ball, consists of a dance but participants are not presented to a guest of honour and girls are not restricted to wearing white dresses.
It is customary for the female to ask a male to the débutante ball, with males not being able to "do the deb" unless they are asked. Débutante ball students who are partaking in the official proceedings must learn how to ballroom dance. Débutante balls are almost always held in a reception centre or ballroom. Usually they are held late in the year and consist of dinner, dancing and speeches.
Read more about this topic: Debutante
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