A number of Wyndham professionals including a councillor, a pediatrician, and an events co-ordinator, will put on their best dance shoes in August, to raise money for mental health and the prevention of youth suicide in the municipality.
The Werribee Mazda Dance Stars on the Floor event was organised by Heather Marcus, to “urgently support” a cause close to her heart.
Ms Marcus lost her younger sister Nan, to suicide a few years ago.
“[Nan] had mental health issues, she had five sisters and a brother and a mother…but she felt she couldn’t talk to any of us,” she said.
Other families in the community confided in Ms Marcus about their own loved ones who had also taken their own lives.
“I don’t want families to go through what we went through losing our sister…I thought we’ve got to do something about this,” she said.
The idea for a dance competition was inspired by her own experiences with ballroom dancing, and Ms Marcus held the first event in 2019, raising more than $40,000 for mental health services in the city.
“We want to make sure we’ve got good services for mental health sufferers and also services for the prevention of youth suicide,” she said.
Ms Marcus said the eight dancers were “very much out of their comfort zone” but were putting their heart and soul into it.
“They’re doing a brilliant job…just to see the way everybody is working together…it is just a beautiful atmosphere,” she said.
A celebrity line up of judges will include Tristan MacManus, Paul Mercurio and Craig Monley.
Residents can purchase a ticket to help fundraise money for mental health services.
The event will be held from 6.45pm on Friday, August 5, at the Wyndham Cultural Centre.
For support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14.
Details: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/930680
Fatima Halloum
