After a three-year hiatus, we were delighted to celebrate in true fashion once again at the 2026 MGA Ball!
Published Date 17/09/2026
One early spring evening, members of our graduate student community gathered under the dazzling chandeliers and Juliet balconies of Melbourne’s Plaza Ballroom for an evening cloaked in disguise…
This year’s theme, if you didn’t already catch it, was the ‘Grand Masquerade’. From the canals of Venice to the halls of Versailles, the MGA resurrected the ancient tradition of the masked ball.
From the moment guests arrived in masks of many shapes and sizes, the ballroom transformed into a Belle Époque world of decadence and mystery. Grads without masks were provided complimentary ones at the door so that they could all leave a life of studies behind, if only for one night, and enter into the glamorous escape awaiting them.
Guests were welcomed on arrival with a delicious offering of drinks and canapés, as masked performers roved the halls with theatrical flair. A live string duo played. One by one, an MGA staff member handed out prophecy scrolls to give each individual a playful glimpse into their fate for the remainder of this magical evening.
Once seated, our very elegantly dressed guests enjoyed a lavish three-course banquet. This set an intriguing social tone for graduate students across our Monash community to connect with one another, particularly at our dedicated social tables, where solo travellers met some like-minded peers, maybe even taking off the mask and making a new friend.
Many kinds of activities and entertainment were provided throughout the night: there were tarot cards, crystal balls, jewels, fans and candles galore. Students took en masse to our themed photo booth to capture the memories. There was even a ‘fortune corner’ on site where a tarot reader welcomed those who were curious to face their prophecy!
But the celebration really began after dinner. Prizes were awarded to some of our best-dressed guests. A live dance performance followed which mobilised our grads to get up off their chairs and take to the dance floor once the DJ took the stage.
This was followed by a live dance performance, marking the transition from the formal dinner into the night’s celebrations. The string music gave way to a DJ set, the lights dimmed and the ballroom transformed once again into a lively dance floor. The lights dimmed and the crowd got swept away. The rest, as they say, was a mystery…
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📸 Photo credit: the very talented Leo from expmedia