31 May 2022
A Goldfields principal has turned into a fairy godmother for her students after conjuring up ball gowns and suits from public donations across the country.
Kambalda West District High School principal Candice Brown put out a message on social media just weeks before the school ball calling for donations to establish a wardrobe from which students could borrow formal wear.
Kambalda West District High School students enjoying their ball.
What came next was an overwhelming response of generosity, with the school being inundated with donations of evening wear, shoes and hundreds of dresses from the local community and beyond.
Local businesses also chipped in and donated half price hair appointments, a red carpet, money to reduce the cost of tickets and a trailer load of wood to raffle.
Speaking to the ABC, Ms Brown said the donations reduced the pressure on students and families as the cost of glamming up for the ball could be prohibitive for some.
“It just started on a whim because we were worried about some students not being able to go to the ball,” she said.
“It's hard to buy a ball dress in town in Kambalda, or even in Kalgoorlie.
“If you go [buy] online, it may not arrive in time, but we also became aware that some students said they weren't coming to the ball and we wanted to make sure there were no roadblocks.”
The school was inundated with clothing donations.
Ms Brown said in future, some of the donated clothing could also be used by students wishing to attend job interviews.
"The clothes that children can wear to job interviews can hopefully set them up for the future,” she said.
Ms Brown said the evening was a fantastic success with 23 students and 10 staff attending the ball.