Few a few years, Dubbo transformed into a sea of swirling red as the town recreates Kate Bush's iconic music video dance for her 1978 song, Wuthering Heights - red dresses, wild hair, and Cathy's unmistakable reach across the moors. Dubbo's Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever was a playful, moving, all-inclusive community event and an annual fundraiser whether you've been practising since 1978 or you've never heard of Cathy and Heathcliff.
How it started
The event is organised and hosted by local duo Cam and Shaz was more than a playful nod to pop culture, it was an annual fundraiser for local cancer charities. Camilla 'Cam' Ward is a long-time community arts educator and artist in the Dubbo region. Sharon 'Shaz' Quill is the founder of Social Gain, delivering fun community projects for positive change.
Cam and Shaz know the impact of having access to good cancer support. In 2022, after losing another loved one, they decided to start an annual community fundraiser.
Sharon 'Shaz' Quill
Founder of Social Gain and co-host of Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever.
Dr Mary
Dubbo's favourite dancing doctor of oncology, leading the crowd through the misty moves.
On the day
Leading the crowd of Dubbo Kates is Dr Mary, who guides everyone through the misty moves before the official Wuther. The 'Wall of Love' features every year, where participants write the names of loved ones no longer dancing on hearts provided on the day. Hosted by Cam & Shaz and proudly supported by Dubbo Regional Council.
A world of Kates
The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is held at locations around the world, where participants recreate the music video for Kate Bush's 1978 song Wuthering Heights. It was inspired by Shambush!'s The Ultimate Kate Bush Experience, held in 2013 in Brighton, UK, where the performance collective attempted to set an unofficial world record for the most people dressed as Kate Bush in one place.
The event is traditionally held around Kate Bush's birthday, 30 July. Other Australian cities that dance to Wuthering Heights include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle and the Blue Mountains — and the tradition spans the globe, from England, Scotland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany to Canada, the USA and South America.
In pictures
Since it began, Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever has raised funds for local cancer support services in Dubbo, and brought hundreds of Kates — and Heathcliffs — out onto the streets in red.