Line dancers from Lismore, Casino, Coraki, Brisbane and as far afield as Tasmania and New Zealand will shuffle step it to Kyogle on Saturday 16 March to be part of a community-run Stroke Foundation Fundraiser. Now in its 15th year, the social at St. Mark’s Hall draws dancers from the age of 8 to 85 to town for feasting, fancy footwork and fun raffles in support of a worthwhile cause.
“A stroke can happen to anyone at any age, and according to the Stroke Foundation, regional community members are more likely to be affected,” says event organiser, local line dancing instructor Lorraine Webber. “My own father suffered 14 strokes in his lifetime, and the stats show that every 11 minutes around Australia, a stroke hits someone else’s loved one. That motivated me to want to rally my line dance family around making a difference to all families affected.”
Word travelled far and wide down the wire of line dancing networks across Australia and around the world. “Once you’re in, it really is like being part of one big extended cross-cultural family,” Lorraine says.
Beginners are welcome to join in the fun and can expect a home-style family feel to this social, down to the details of dinner on the night, which is included in the $45 fundraiser ticket price. “I cook up comfort food like roast chicken, baked lasagne and veggies, followed by dessert, then tea, coffee and delicious slices to keep energy levels up for the dancing, which is a real workout!” Lorraine says.
Rebecca Ross from Tanglefoot Dancing in Brisbane travels to Kyogle to lead afternoon line dancing workshops while Lorraine takes care of catering. Social dancing will continue well into the night after dinner. “Sometimes we have country singers who are well known on the circuit stop by and chime in, adding to the ‘one big family’ feel,” Lorraine says.
Stroke Foundation Australia is grateful for the community’s heartfelt support over many years. “A national charity dedicated to preventing stroke, saving lives and enhancing recovery, we rely on community partnerships like this to sustain the crucial research and work we do,” says Rachel McAuliffe, Media and Public Relations Coordinator, Stroke Foundation Australia.
“Stroke is more than a health challenge; it’s a nationwide issue that devastates families, profoundly affects workplaces and fractures the communities we all rely on. There are now more than 440,000 survivors of stroke living in Australia, and 1 in 4 are of working age.” Rachel adds.
1 in 4 of close to 46,000 Australians who will suffer a stroke this year will be under the age of 65 and many of them from close-knit regional communities like Kyogle. Stroke takes more lives than breast cancer or prostate cancer, and the lifetime cost Australia-wide is estimated to exceed $15 billion in healthcare alone!
The good news is that more than 80% of strokes can be prevented, and community events like this really help to raise awareness that can make a life-changing difference.
“We’ve set ourselves a target of at least $3,000 to donate to the Stroke Foundation Australia this year through ticketing and an amazing raffle with almost 100 great prizes locally donated,” Lorraine says.
Adding to the fun on the night are lucky door prizes, best dressed individual, and best dressed table prizes.
This year’s theme is Turquoise and Bling! “So get your glitter on and come enjoy some social connection with a whole lot of fun!
Tickets are still available until May 12th. Call Lorraine Webber on 0418 264489
Event Details:
Stroke Foundation Fundraiser
Date: Saturday 16 May 2026
Location: St Marks Hall, Cnr Barker & West Streets
Time: 1:00-3:00pm line dancing workshop then 7:00 to 11:00pm dinner and line dancing social
Theme: Turquoise and Bling
Ticket Price: $45