Queanbeyan-Palerang Mayor Kenrick Winchester with community members Gillian Southwell (third from right) and Pauline Leake (far right) at the showroom’s opening in 2023. Photo: Gillian Southwell Facebook.
Pauline Leake knows first-hand exactly how expensive it can be to kit out youngsters for their formals – and how heartwarming it can be to see them smile.
To make it easier for Capital country families, she and Gillian Southwell founded Formally Formal Wear in 2023.
It gives kids and their families a chance to browse donated items so they can find their look for their formal without the hefty price tag from traditional shopping.
While they’ve had a space near the Queanbeyan Leagues Club, they need to temporarily move because of the club’s major redevelopment.
“They have been a lifesaver – they’ve given us that [location] for the last three years,” she said.
“Although the building that we’re in is not being knocked down for their extension, it was too dangerous for us to stay … That was the reason for needing to find somewhere else.”
During a recent council meeting, councillors voted to award them a space within 256 Crawford Street, which used to be a council customer service and administration building.
Councillor Bill Waterhouse called on his fellow councillors to support the “really, really, really worthy” initiative.
“I saw the absolute pleasure on the children’s faces when they were able to really dress to the nines, as they say, for their formal. Most of the kids that I knew would not have been able to afford to do that.
“The kids come across [the area] … It’s not just a Queanbeyan thing. They probably come in from the ACT, too.”
Councillor Ross Macdonald raised his concern that the move could impact the council’s bottom line, pointing to council staff being moved to a new facility and the need for QPRC to manage its properties.
“[It is], I think, fiscally responsible to consider the council’s assets within the context of paying the debt of some $80-odd million for the Nellie Hamilton Centre.
“Of course, a precursor to the discussions or the consideration of the build was a consolidation and vacation and selling of residual properties. On that front, that is a concern.”
The meeting heard that QPRC had sought expressions of interest from the community at $2000/week for the property, but no offers were received.
Councillor Morgan Broadbent said QPRC should consider how it offered council-owned facilities to the community.
“I do think we’re in a position where, if we’re going to be giving away space (essentially for free), why would we not just go to our local community organisations and say, ‘Come on, come on down and use the free space?'”
“If that’s what we want to do, I’d love to see that as part of a strategy … I don’t think doing it this way is the way that works for me.”
In the meeting, Councillor John Preston pushed back on the argument that the council risked being disadvantaged through the arrangement.
He said that once the arrangement with Formally Formal Wear finished, the council would be free to renegotiate around the site’s use.
“It’s not in perpetuity … We’re not actually locked into anything in perpetuity.”
The meeting also heard that the rear of the building was being rented to Dale and Hitchcock, the construction contractor for the ongoing upgrades to Monaro Street.
Mayor Kenrick Winchester called for the Crawford Street site (as well as other vacant council-owned buildings) to be used while QPRC finalised an overall plan for its future.
“They [the council-owned buildings], very likely, will be sold by a future council in years to come, but not in the imminent future.”
Meeting documents state their new home will be available at a peppercorn rent, and will be located on Crawford Street.
This council-owned site has been empty “for some time”, the documents state, with Formally Formal Wear needing to leave their current space by June.
Ms Leake told Region their new home would see them continue their operations as normal after a “bumper” 2025, when they helped more than 300 kids.
She said the clothes, afterparty celebrations, jewellery and other elements of formal preparation could cost several hundred dollars.
“These are people on pensions. There are grandparents who are looking after their grandchildren – we’ve had many of those.”
Ultimately, Crs Broadbent and Macdonald were the only ones to vote against the proposal.
Formally Formal Wear will now be located at 256 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. People interested in browsing, making donations or volunteering can make contact through its Facebook page. Operations for 2026 are expected to open in August, but donations are accepted year-round.
