Community & Business
19 May, 2021
A Doomadgee Cinderella story
LIKE a scene from a Cinderella story, locals from across Far North Queensland have been sending their old formal gowns to Doomadgee to give their young women and men an opportunity to go to the ball.
BY ELLIE FINK
LIKE a scene from a Cinderella story, locals from across Far North Queensland have been sending their old formal gowns to Doomadgee to give their young women and men an opportunity to go to the ball.
Empowering Women Empowering Communities put out on their Facebook page about two weeks ago asking the community to donate dresses for the Doomadgee NAIDOC Ball, which reached more than two million people online.
Yolonde Entsch has been playing fairy godmother for the Doomadgee Community and can not believe the incredible response from across Australia.
“I've been travelling into Doomadgee since February 2017 and I just have so much love and affection for the community,” she said.
“I heard that Elijah Douglas wanted to put on a ball and I thought of a masquerade ball we did for International Women's Day and we had a lot of dresses donated to us.
“I thought of all the dresses we have tucked away in our closet that we don’t wear anymore and thought how people in Doomadgee have it tough and wouldn’t be able to afford a $100 dress if they wanted to attend."
Mrs Entsch said that during every trip she makes to Doomadgee, she sees the heaviness of the town and wants to bring in some light.
“The community has never had a formal event such as this and we would love everyone to get involved, old or young,” she said.
“This night will always be remembered and it will be talked about for years and we can’t wait to see the magical cheer and delight in the locals eyes.”
The Doomadgee NAIDOC Ball will see Western Queensland's most beautiful princesses and most handsome princes dance the night away on July 8 and any donations can be posted to Yolonde Entsch at PO Box 14, Bungalow, 4870.
