The Happy Dance Project

The Happy Dance Project is a very simple concept but it gives people an opportunity to have a little fun, be part of something that's just focused on pure joy and they can express that in any way they want. Physical dance, finger puppets, using their hands or feet, or whatever creative way they want to express themselves. The clips will be collated at the end of the project and turned into a shortish film of the different styles, interpretations of dance and music that people have been inspired by, and that make them happy.

Cr Mulholland of Kyogle Council said "I did a happy dance because of a promise I had made to a local resident. Whenever I got funding as the former Mayor of Kyogle Council, I would always put up "happy dance" in little brackets and after a while, people wanted to see what that was. I fulfilled that promise but the feedback was so positive, I wondered if we could do more with the concept".

At the end of 2022, Jeanette Foy from Kyogle, motored around the Northern Rivers on her mobility scooter to raise awareness about domestic violence - the "Stop it where it Starts tour" which proved to be enormously successful.

After a brainstorm between Cr Mulholland, Jeanette Foy and Kyogle Family Support Services, it was decided that the Happy Dance could be so much more. Kyogle Council has already implemented the red bench roll out across the Council area. The presence of a Red Bench in a public location aims to raise awareness of domestic violence and provide an opportunity for this important issue to remain visible.
Together we can #Change the Ending.

Ms Foy said "I am so proud of the "Stop It Where It Starts Tour" and what we have achieved so far. Even though we are a small country town, we are leading the charge against domestic violence. It would be great to bring back some joy into our lives whilst raising funds for this important issue. I for one, had so much fun doing our happy dance and I'm sure others will too."

Then the wheels started spinning and then there was that lightbulb moment - this could be a bigger and better project - EVERYONE could post their happy dance on the Happy Dance Project Facebook page and make a financial contribution towards an organisation focused on combatting domestic violence. A link has been provided on the page to process these contributions however if people would prefer to donate in their local area, they will need to post a receipt of their donation with their happy dance. Ms Foy's happy dance is the launch of the project and is now online.

These funds are used to roll out a DV program in schools which after the last fundraiser, yielded fantastic results and some wonderful feedback from those schools. The program teaches kids about healthy relationships, and what a DV relationship looks like - who they can talk to and how they can get help. Kyogle Family Support Services have rolled out this specifically designed program and are prepared to share it with other providers, no matter where they are located.

The Growing Strong Kind Kids program is aimed at primary school children. This 6-week program will focus on reducing domestic violence by providing education to children with a focus to empower children with knowledge and skills about healthy relationships to increase safety and reduce violence in the Kyogle community. The program is being delivered by trained facilitators from Kyogle Family Support Services and has been developed by Sarah Daley who is an accredited Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers and a Registered Play Therapist with Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). The program covers various themes, including safety, emotions, gender, healthy relationships, power dynamics, consent, and non-violent communication.

Program Goals:
* To increase children’s awareness of who and what makes them feel safe, identifying safety in the body and safe people.
* To increase children’s awareness of gender and promote gender equality
* To learn how to have a respectful relationship with friends and family
* To learn about boundaries, consent and non-violent communication
* To learn about power dynamics in relationships and learn how to have power with.

It's not just about raising money and awareness regarding DV - it's also about bringing a little happiness into everyone's lives. After coming out of years of disasters - drought, major bushfires, Covid, the catastrophic floods of 2022 and subsequent flood events and obviously there are political tensions across the world at present, the escalation of domestic violence has reached crisis point. The Happy Dance Project is a bit of light whimsy in an ever darkening world.

It is hoped that everybody is going to jump on board with the Happy Dance Project. People can do it individually, with friends and family, workmates, clubs etc. It doesn't have to be a organised routine.. just get your happy on. Let's teach the next generation that healthy relationships are about honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners. Relationships take effort and compromise from both people. There is no imbalance of power. Partners respect each other's independence, can make their own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and share decisions. Help our young generations make the right choices and break the cycle of domestic violence.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/865700598361656

Media contacts:

Cr Danielle Mulholland - 0438 931 425
Jeanette Foy - 0408 753 358