Did you know that around 1 in 5 Australian adults experience a common mental illness each year? Join us for a fun and inspired evening promoting mental health in our community. All proceeds go to our official 2023 benefactor -
Foundation61.
Our charity ball marks the beginning of
National Mental Health Week, and is supported by
Danni Synot and
Wes Cusworth! We are also thrilled to announce that local legends and dance extraordinaire
Wild Moves International will be performing a dance style called Soukous, 'to shake'. This is a popular dance style from the Congo in Central Africa.
Jacqui Dreessens, who runs Wile Moves, went there in 1988 to study and experience this dance style. "You can see the Congolese dance influence in the roots of Salsa," she says.
Don't miss out on a memorable night out and get your tickets now to dance the night away at this year's 'Shimmer & Shake' - Mind, Heart and Body Ball.
Tickets include:
- a 3-course gourmet dinner & drinks package
- live music by
Lukey Luke & The Dukes
- guest speakers
- a surprise dance performance by the Shimmer Troupe
- live auctions
- raffles
and much more!
We will also be awarding the best boss in town by recognising and celebrating a local business/organisation with this year's Mental Wellbeing Community Award.
Please show your support by purchasing tickets and helping us raise much-needed funds for
Foundation61.
Help us spread awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness. Bring your family, friends, colleagues and/or staff along for a fun night out!
Grab a table of 10 or simply come and connect with the community!
About Danni Synot:
Danni is the Founder and CEO of Australian Charity
Brave Enough, presenter of the award-winning ‘Beyond the Search’ series, and the host of the Big Brave Life radio show, which airs nationally across Australia. Danni is a dynamic preacher, television, radio & podcast presenter and has featured on various networks around the globe. She is also a Christian speaker and qualified counsellor.
It's her God-given passion to share openly through her messages on life issues, encouraging us to be brave enough to heal and find hope and freedom in the love of Jesus. Danni also has a huge passion being real and doing life together.
About Wes Cusworth:
Wes is an experienced Media and Communications Officer and Journalist with a demonstrated history of working in both education and sport and strong passion for our community and social services.
About Jacqui Dreessens
Jacqui has been running Wild Moves on the Surf Coast since 2004 and Wild Moves International since 1991. Jacqui's teaching and choreography also draws upon her formal training in Contemporary and Western Classical Ballet techniques supported with Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais, Somatics, Skinner Release technique and Laban Movement Analysis.
Since 2001, Jacqui has facilitated cultural dance and drumming tours to Ethiopia, Ghana, Portugal, Senegal and continues to do so. She has extensively studied dance styles and drumming techniques of the African Diaspora which has led to many exciting artist in residency programs in schools, festivals and communities across Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, Portugal and Senegal including, 'Where journeys Meet' Gasworks Community Arts Park, to celebrate Australian Federation 2001; the Opening Ceremony for the Deaf Olympic Games at Olympic Park, Melbourne 2005; 'The Mountain to Mouth Extreme Arts Walk' You Yangs, Geelong city, Barwon Heads, 2016, 2018 and many new works for the Torquay High Tide Festival like 'SwellBeing'; 'Hidden Depths'; 'Natural Balance'; 'Moonahs: Sentinels of the Surf Coast'; 'Circles on Waves', 'Hoofprints in the Sand'; 'Sacred Kingfisher dance'; 'Hoodie Boogie'.... more on the way.
