By BRIDGET COOK
THE Rotary Club of Casey made dreams come true on the weekend by giving people with a disability the chance to take part in a presentation ball.
It was their time to shine as 31 participants, aged from 21 to 88 years, were presented at their first ball in front of a crowd of 280 people at a packed Cardinia Cultural Centre.
The Rotary club, with the assistance of the City of Casey, organised the inaugural ball for people with a disability who have never had the opportunity to be involved in such an event.
Participants from disability service providers across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong were presented on Saturday night to City of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett, Rotary district governor Charlie Speirs and Rotary Club of Berwick president Trevor Westland.
The participants then showcased their ballroom dances to the crowd, before boogying the night away with family and friends.
Businesses and organisations threw their support behind the event by donating goods and services including dance lessons, hair and make-up, formal wear and raffle prizes.
Lynne Westland, chairwoman of the organising committee and member of Casey Rotary, said the event was nothing short of amazing.
“I just loved the look on the participants’ faces,” she said.
“I’m sure the night has been locked in as an important life achievement for them all.
“The involvement and pure joy of their friends and family was irreplaceable and it took community connection to a new height.”
Ms Westland said the men and women all scrubbed up beautiful and felt like the stars of the show.
“They were all dolled up in formal wear, had their hair and make-up done and arrived in a limo or hummer,” she said.
“It was humbling watching these beautiful people be the stars of the show and shine for the night.
“It will be something they never forget, nor for those who watched on.
“A lot of the girls said they felt like princesses and their dreams had come true.”
Ms Westland thanked all those who contributed to the night in any way, and said the event would not have been possible without so much support.
