B&S Balls are an old tradition in Australia, and part of nearly every young person's life who lives in the country. I read about them before leaving home for Oz, but never dreamed I would ever be able to find my way to one. I was wrong! After a few weeks of living in Melbourne some friends of mine who had grown up in the Victorian countryside offered to drive me three hours north to the Ball in tiny Lake Bolac, VIC. What an experience... nearly impossible to accurately describe, but I'll try.
WHO: myself, my American friend (apparently among the few and brave 'B&S Virgins'), and hundreds of young (18-20's) Aussies. Everyone dressed up in formal wear (dresses for girls and white shirt/
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WHO: myself, my American friend (apparently among the few and brave 'B&S Virgins'), and hundreds of young (18-20's) Aussies. Everyone dressed up in formal wear (dresses for girls and white shirt/bow ties for blokes) found at off-shops because it quickly becomes ruined as the night rolls on. I got my dress on Bridge Rd. for $20, and was proud it survived!
WHAT: Eel Skinners and Duck Pluckers Ball. Each one has its own theme... the tshirts say "Says the eel to the duck, will you squeal if I pluck"
WHEN: First weekend of December, 2000. They take place in Victoria once every months or two, and people drive for hours to get to one.
WHERE: Lake Bolac, Victoria. Everyone parked in a large grass area along the lake and tents/stages were set up for the festivities.
WHY: To drink, dance, drink, socialize, add another sticker to the 40 already stuck to the Utes of frequent B&S goers, drink, roll around in the mud created by the dirt and alcohol, and... drink more. Then wake up in the morning after sleeping in the back of your Ute to a 9am 'recovery' barbie.
Tickets were $80, and for that we received entrance, logo mug, sticker, drink cards (which nobody uses), and access to all the alcohol you can handle. They served everything: beer, wine, bundy/coke, bourbon/coke, vodka/orange. You shouldn't venture onto the dance floor (there was a live cover band) unless you're cool with cups of various beverages being thrown into the air and landing on your head. Blokes' shirts get ripped off in a methodical fashion: pocket (which girls keep), sleeves, rip the buttons open, and then the remaining scraps are removed and eventually end up hanging around a girl's neck. Some people also bring food dye, so I came away with blue and red streaks all over myself. Being near Christmas, crazy, pissed Santas were running around everywhere. My legs were so muddy that it took multiple showers to get them clean, and my shoes were so ruined that we left them there and ran over them with the car on the way home. It was quite possibly the craziest event I've ever been a part of, and hey, it was a cultural experience at the same time!
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