Over the past three months, Eden Combined Churches Debutante Ball dance teachers Dave Boulton and Pam Inwood have taken the aspiring debutantes and their partners through the steps of traditional dances, including the Pride of Erin and the Festival Glide. Flower girl Keira Haenig and page boy Sebb Bobbin quietly watched on.

During rehearsals at the Eden Fishermen's Club, long-standing organiser Flo Young sorted out cummerbund colours, seating, decorations and tickets. Quietly going about the routine debutante season while the debs-to-be and their partners gathered with excitement leading up to the big event.

However, although things may have seemed routine, this year was different. For the first time in years the numbers were down. It would seem deb ball fever had left Eden and surrounds.

Mr Boulton has been teaching the couples for nine seasons. He said when he moved to Eden from Melbourne around 30 years ago deb balls were a huge event.

"People would say to me deb balls in Eden were all the go," he said.

"I remember thinking, 'really?' Because in Melbourne, back then they were a thing of the past.

"But now, they are a big thing down there. Who knows maybe it just goes in cycles," he added.

"From the time I started teaching we have always had two debs with at least 30 girls. It could be something to do with them [teenagers] changing their attitudes," Mr Boulton said.

"Although once we get going and it's all over they all say how much they loved it.

"Even the boys. Sometimes they take a bit of convincing. But once they get into it, they really love it."

Whether it's a dying tradition or not, on Saturday, June 1, the Eden Combined Churches Debutante Ball was well attended, with 15 debs and their partners, families and friends.

As for the popularity of deb balls being a "cycle", Ms Inwood said, "Who knows? We'll find out next year."