Stacey sets the standard

MAY I please be excused from the table?

It’s manners like this that Stacey Colgan wants more Rockhampton families to hear at meal times.

The deportment expert has launched her Fleur de Lis business in the city on her mission to revive “the dying art” of social graces.

And one of her key goals is to take in one of Rocky’s troubled shopping centre youths – recently described as gang members – to turn their life around.

“No matter how busy our lifestyles get, I believe children need to learn respect and right from wrong so families have a happier home life,” Stacey said.

From the elegant way she presents herself, to her genteel mannerism, well spoken voice and passion for social graces, Stacey aspires to be the June Dally-Watkins of Rockhampton.

Fleur de Lis is aimed at educating youth aged three to 25 years in the art of social graces – etiquette, manners deportment and grooming – as well as French, drama, singing, piano and cooking classes.

Stacey, who was born and bred on a property in Charleville, south west of Rockhampton, had strict parents who instilled the type of etiquette, manners deportment and grooming she is now passing onto others in society.

“I have a passion for it,” Stacey, who has been trained in deportment through a southern university and TAFE, said.

The mother of two said at a young age she and her brother were taught by their parents how to set a table correctly from top to toe.

Every meal time was a special family gathering in the Colgan household.

“We would each talk about our day and then it was quiet time while we relaxed and had our meal before speaking again,” Stacey said.

And if Stacey needed to use the bathroom or grab a tissue during meal time, she would ask “may I please be excused from the table.”

She described her parents as strict, but relaxed.

“It (social grace) is a dying art and I want to be able to bring it back to families.”

Amy Jarrett (pictured), who is one of Stacey’s new students, said she couldn’t wait to learn how to set a table during her next class after learning greetings this week.

“We learnt how to hand shake and greet seniors before juniors,” 11-year-old Amy said.

If you’re interested in a Fleur de Lis classes, contact Stacey on 0408 086 199.

SOCIAL GRACES

Homework for people today. Areas Stacey believes society needs to improve on:

Bad swearing habits;

Forgetting manners like please, thank you and I’m sorry;

Dress standards – some young people are showing too much skin;

Respect for yourself, elders, family and friends;

Self-confidence.