Despite the severe weather last Friday, nothing could stop Kogarah Community Services from going ahead with their 5th annual One Billion Rising, an Open Air Dance Festival to say No to violence against women.
The spectators who braved the rain and flash flooding to get to Kogarah Library enjoyed a joyous and vibrant dance tour around the world including Greek, Mongolian, Afro Dance, Tibetan, Nepalese, Street Dance, Bollywood, Latin American Bachata and Samba performances.
All About Swing transported the audience back to the fabulous fifties and Sydney Self Defence Centre displayed their Kung Fu skills.
Speakers included Georges River Council administrator John Rayner, Barton MP Linda Burney, Kogarah MP Chris Minns and Rockdale MPSteve Kamper spoke of their support of the annual event and how important it is to have events like One Billion Rising to raise awareness about Domestic Violence.
The dancing finished on an absolute high with a 30 strong Flash Mob of women ,men and children led by Lynsey Potts urging the crowd to “Break the Chain” of violence against women.
The event closed with the Georges River Citizen of the Year Natalia Esdaile Watts declaring that all the dancers were warriors in the army against Domestic Violence.
Event Organiser Cathy Nisbet, Community Development Worker for Kogarah Community Services, said “The room was electric with hope, passion for change and the joy that only dance can bring.
“As a community we joined together to say that we can, and we must, change the future for all women and girls.”