Cleeland, Rex Allan

-- BENALLA ENSIGN, Friday 25 April 1947 --
BRIGHT EVENING AT SWANPOOL
LIMA SCHOOL COMMITTEE\'S SUCCESSFUL EFFORT
PLAIN AND FANCY DRESS BALL

The Swanpool Hall was the setting for a bright evening\'s entertainment on Wednesday, 16th April, when the Lima State School committee held a very successful plain and fancy dress ball. Being the first function of its kind since 1934, the committee were a trifle apprehensive of the public in "Dressing up," but their worries were only short lived, as was seen by the large crowd which attended in costume.

At about 8.30 people began to roll up, and by nine o\'clock there was quite a large crowd with many in fancy costume.

There were many humorous sets and at times the laughter drowned the music. At about 10 o\'clock the parade was held and proved most colorful and varied. Some excellent costumes were worn, which showed that considerable time and thought had been spent by the people to make the ball a success. Mr. and Mrs Morrie Evans, of Benalla, had a dif- ficult task in judging, but finally awarded prizes to the following:-

Len Horsburgh. Fred Horsburgh and Les Smith, who were seen as a trio in the shape of a negro, negress and baby, complete with a three- wheel pull cart. These three acted their parts exceptionally well and created much amusement. They were awarded prizes to the following:- Original costume.

Ron Horsburgh and Alice Wilson won the prize for the best couple. They represented our dusky friends of New Guinea - The Fuzzy Wuzzies, and were complete with brown stain, black curly hair and grass skirts, which made them extremely like the genuine article.

Joan Stewart, of Tatong, attractive-ly dressed as a Cow Girl, complete with the hat and all other trappings of a Western cow girl, carried off the prize for the best sustained female character.

Laurie Allott won the prize for the best, sustained male character. He was dressed as an absent-minded professor, with bowler hat, glasses and beard but minus his trousers, which were carried on his arm.

Albert Webster and Geoff Marks were "danitly" dressed as two bal- let "girls" and made a most attractive couple. They acted and played their parts very well and proved adept at the art of ballet dancing. They were awarded a special prize, as also was Bill O\'Connell, of Tatong who was dressed in a two-piece swim suit and although the evening was rather cool, he looked as if he was just off for a dip in the briny.

OTHERS IN COSTUME Others in fancy costume, all well worthy of mention, were Valda Holt, and Keith Warnock, two swagmen; Rex Cleeland, The Devil; Keith Cleeland, Lady; Vera Pearce, Alice Blue Gown; Lily Mathison and Kath Co- mensoli, Two Maguies; Nancy Hea- ney, Waitress; Pat, Putt and Alan Tranter, Bride and Bridegroom; Hed- ley Williams, 18th Century Gentle- man; Mrs. Fred Horsburgh, Early Victorian Lady; Esna Dennis and Margaret Heaney, Two Little Girls in Blue; Alleen Putt, Gipsy Girl; John Putt, Swagman; Bob and Ron Hunt- er, Two Ladies; Frank Headland, Black and White; Dawn Townsend, Queen of Hearts. Dancing continued after the judging until a halt was called for supper.