Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss, Crs Angela Munn and Dean O’Loughlin, chief executive Gail Gatt and Cr Ian Ross do the Nutbush with purple pompoms, representing Fiona Elsey’s favourite colour. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Join in the Nutbush for Hope in Horsham
23 September 2026
Group dance event Nutbush for Hope will raise money for Australia’s only regionally based, community-funded cancer research institution, at this year’s Horsham Show.
People are invited to gather at Maydale Reserve at 1pm on Sunday for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute event, which also marks a decade since Horsham’s first Nutbush world record in 2016.
The celebration will begin early, with Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise set to host live crosses from Horsham on Sunday morning, putting the event in the national spotlight.
Nutbush for Hope event director Vicky DeGeorge said the institute was founded by oncologist and haematologist Professor George Kannourakis about 30 years ago.
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“George made a promise to one of his patients before she passed at the age of 14,” she said.
“It’s the only community-funded cancer institute in Australia, so it does rely on community funds and help from locals.”
Ms DeGeorge said people could register to dance via the Horsham Show’s website horshamshow.com.au.
“Or, if you can’t make it to the show, we are asking people to consider making a $10 donation of hope via website nutbushchallenge.gofund
raise.com.au,” she said.
Professor Kannourakis said the community had been central to the institute’s work since it was established.
“Everything the institute has achieved has been made possible by people who believe that important cancer research can and should happen in regional Australia,” Professor Kannourakis said.
“Nutbush for Hope captures that community spirit perfectly. You do not need to be a great dancer. You simply need to be willing to have a go and help us turn a much-loved Australian tradition into hope for people affected by cancer.”
Professor Kannourakis said communities within the Grampians region experienced rates of bowel cancer incidence and mortality up to 30 per cent higher than the Victorian average.
Schools, businesses, sporting clubs, dance groups, emergency services and community organisations are encouraged to practise their moves, film their Nutbush dance and share it online this week, tagging @NutbushforHope.
The entire September 23, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
