By ANEEKA SIMONIS
WHILE he may come dressed in his official robes, Mayor Graeme Moore hopes his end-of-term celebration will be anything but formal.
Going out with a bang, Cr Moore will be farewelled as Cardinia Shire Council’s mayor at a fun celebration themed Mayor Hatter on Friday 7 November at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham.
“The rules are there are no rules except that people come in a hat or wig. No hat, no entry,” Cr Moore said.
Affectionately known as Mr Yakkerboo as well as moonlighting at local festivals as a clown or MC, Cr Moore’s dedication to the shire began long before he took on the mayoral title in 2013.
For his special night, the former teen rock artist said he will again pull out his entertainment hat as he performs with an ex-member from his high school band Razberry Jungle.
Cr Moore, who will fire up his vocals to classics such as Mustang Sally and Treat Her Right on the night, hopes the principal of Officer Specialist School Sue Campbell will join him on backing vocals.
The school, which opened earlier this year, is sorely lacking specialised equipment for its 80-plus special needs students.
Cr Moore said the school is one-of-a-kind and all proceeds from the celebration will be donated to the growing facility.
“The funds are very important. The school is lacking resources and, unfortunately, the equipment is quite expensive so, like all other specialised schools, the first few years are a struggle getting things together,” Ms Campbell said.
She said she will use the funds to pay for a therapeutic playground space at the school.
Donations, hampers and memorabilia will be raffled off by a professional auctioneer while Cr Moore hopes to take the microphone for the official MC duties.
The celebration will take place three days before the new mayor is elected on Monday 10 October.
Tickets cost $90.
To book, visit the Cardinia Cultural Centre’s webpage at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au.
