["Ball on Koombana", The Hedland Advocate (Port Hedland, WA), Saturday 22 May 1909, page 5]
BALL ON KOOMBANA.
On Monday last the passengers held a fancy dress ball on the s.s. Koombana, as she gently glided over the ocean, the rhythmical sound of the water, as disturbed by the vessel, adding charm to the music from the piano. The spacious saloon deck was screened in, tastefully decorated with bunting, and brilliantly lit up by electric light. We believe this to be the first entertainment of the kind ever held on a Nor'-West steamer. Supper was served at 10, after which dancing was continued until a late hour. Thirty-eight of the passengers left the boat at Hedland, and voted the ball a huge success. A description of the dresses will appear in our next issue. A return dance was given in the Hedland hall on Wednesday.
The Koombana on her last trip "touched" something near Broome, and a rumour got about that she was leaking. Lloyds' diver gave her a thorough examination at Fremantle, and declared that she was not even marked. The rumor had no foundation.
