First Fancy Dress Ball in Newcastle, by Beth Frayne.
Extract from Duidgeeana, the newsletter of the Toodyay Historical Society (Inc.), Issue No. 7, Jan Feb 2009, p. 6.
When perusing the microfilmed issues of the Eastern Districts Chronicle in the Battye Library recently, Beth came across a lovely article on the first fancy dress ball in Newcastle. As reported on 3 January 1891 (p.6):
Fancy Dress Ball
Our Newcastle correspondent writes under date the 1st instant:- On Boxing night the first fancy dress ball ever held in the district took place at McIver’s hotel, and was attended by one of the largest crowds that has ever assembled at a dance here. It was a great success the proceeds of which are to go towards purchasing the ground for the Athletics Club. The following is a description of the costumes worn on the occasion;- Miss Lee Steere, 5 o’clock tea; Miss B. Lee Steere, Galatea; Miss E. Lee Steere, flower girl; Mrs J.H. Phillips, Eastern girl; ….
File date: 17 Dec. 2021. Access: Investigator and Query Subscribers