STARTTS Refugee Ball

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Posted 2014-10-20 by Leslie Ashburn ⇒ follow

Thu 23 Oct 2014

As the sun sets over beautiful Cockle Bay on Oct 23, revellers will be gathering for a good cause at Dockside for the STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) Refugee Ball. The ball has been a favourite with local celebrities for the last six years and it's easy to see why. The Refugee Ball is a dazzling marriage of philanthropy and cultural enrichment which culminates in an unforgettable evening. This year's entertainment will be provided by the well-known Latin band, Son Veneno and be led by "C Major" (Carlos Vellazquez) who was a recent successful contestant on The Voice. Also performing this evening will be STARTTS's own exciting Afro Contemporary Youth Dance (ACYD). The ACYD is a young dynamic group of dancers who are a part of STARTTS' Community Cultural Development Program. This program is a vital part of STARTTS' cultural outreach to the refugee community which utilises song and dance. This method focuses on bringing the refugee community together through the arts. Speaking of his experience of expressing his grief through the arts one participant said, "When I sing I feel the trauma wash away". And this is what the Refugee Ball is truly about; reaching out, healing and washing the trauma away.

STARTTS is honoured this year to have Gillian Triggs, former Dean of the Law School at the University of Sydney and current president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, as its keynote speaker. The ticket price includes,an elegant three course dinner and access to a spectacular not to be missed auction featuring works of art, cultural experiences, food and fashion. All monies raised by this year's Refugee Ball will be used to fund the Community Cultural Development Program run by STARTTS.

STARTTS' services for the refugee community facilitate the healing of severely damaged refugees which in turn allows refugees to become contributing members in Australian society. STARTTS uses diverse methods which include traditional individual and group therapy, art and cultural therapy and biofeedback. STARTTS also assists in job training and as well as the training and education of those who work within the refugee community.