There are a lot of Cathys in Canberra today (1 August), which is not a statistical anomaly; it’s just The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, where dozens of Kate Bush lookalikes (Cathys) recreate Bush’s Wuthering Heights dance video.

It’s a global movement and Canberra’s been on board since 2017 thanks to event organiser Brooke Thomas. But this year, she’s hanging up her red dress after 10 years.

Brooke said it started out as a “distraction” but after a decade, she has raised more than $43,000 for Domestic Violence Crisis Service Canberra.

You see, behind the hilarity of donning a red frock and dancing wildly in public, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever has a serious side – Wuthering Heights (the song and Emily Bronte novel) is about abusive relationships.

So at 11am today, adults, children (and dogs) are putting on red lippy, a red rose in their hair and dancing up a storm at the National Arboretum’s Himalayan Cedar forest.

“We’ve had a babe in arms be part of it – a mum with a bub on her hip dancing – and we once had a guy in drag with a spectacular beard who was wearing a sequined crop top and army boots. He was just divine,” Brooke said.

“One of my favourite participants cracked out a cool red suit that he bought at an op shop. I love the weird and wonderful costumes. Lots of people like to get hold of the replica dress but some of the improvised costumes are fun and gorgeous.”

Canberra’s a long way from Salisbury Plain in England (where Kate Bush filmed her Wuthering Heights video) but Brooke’s recreated the English moors at Haig Park, Glebe Park, The Portrait Gallery and National Film and Sound Archives).  

As a three-times “Cathy”, I can personally vouch for the brilliant experience, so I asked Brooke why she was retiring from Wuthering.

“Each year was just a bit much and I was changing jobs, I’ve just turned 50, there was just too much else going on and I thought 10 years is pretty good,” she said.

Coincidentally, Brooke and Kate Bush celebrate their birthdays a day apart. 

“We’ll see if somebody else can take it over and I’m not going to be precious about it in any way,” she said. “It’s theirs to shape and enjoy and build how they want to because it’s always been that kind of organic, global, friendly, celebratory thing.”

Like England’s weather, Canberra’s weather in July isn’t the best climate to wear a dress outdoors but that’s never stopped Cathys before (even Covid didn’t stop them live-streaming from Canberra Theatre).

“One year we danced in misty rain and people were up for it,” Brooke said. “It’s part of the experience and I think that’s what’s joyful and fun about it. What I’ve always done is try to make sure that people understand it’s not about perfection, it’s just about showing up, having fun and failing all else, just wear red and be melodramatic.”

Cathys are travelling from as far as Bega and Sydney to “Wuther” in Canberra.

“It’s lots of regulars,” Brooke said. “There’s people coming that have been doing it since the first year and what I really love is that they look forward to it and they come back and there’s this lovely sense of reunion every year.”

Even Kate Bush’s Canberra first cousin, Phil Robson, has attended the event.

“Something I really treasure is that [Phil Robson] gave me a tour badge from Kate Bush’s Lion Heart Tour. It’s a 1979 badge that she gave to him and he’s given to me. I’m a little bit scared to wear it out of the house because I really treasure it.”

This may be the last Wuthering Heights performance for Brooke, but she’ll still continue to dance in other ways.

“My husband teases me, I always have to be organising something,” she said. “But I also think it’s nice to pass the reins rather than run out of energy.

“I’ve been belly dancing for 30 years and I have a performance troupe of amazing ladies that’s formed this beautiful sisterhood.  I’ll certainly still be dancing.”