Mayor defends holding mayoral ball to raise cash for a non-Stonnington organisation

Angry ratepayers have slammed a plan to spend $50,000 on a Stonnington mayoral charity ball, after it was revealed all proceeds would be gifted to neighbouring Port Phillip to fit-out a theatre at a LGBTIQ community centre.

Ratepayers and councillors say the Mayor Ball should inject cash into the Stonnington community.

Furious Stonnington councillors and ratepayers have labelled an upcoming mayoral charity fundraiser as “outrageous”, saying the money raised should be injected into local causes.

The Night of Pride: City of Stonnington Mayoral Charity Fundraiser on October 31 will raise cash for the fit out of the theatrette at Victorian Pride Centre — a Port Phillip LGBTIQ community centre.

The Leader understands ratepayers will fork out at least $50,000 for the charity event, with the council sending letters to residents and traders asking for donations.

But Cr Marcia Griffin said homelessness on Chapel St was rife and an issue that “desperately needed” attention.

“I would’ve thought that people in Stonnington would be very willing to support a mayoral function that helped a charity such as the Salvation Army who do all they can to support homelessness,” she said.

“It’s disappointing that money raised at this event will go outside of Stonnington and we have many issues within the municipality that desperately need assistance.”

Cr Glen Atwell said an event paid by Stonnington ratepayers should be designed to support an organisation within the municipality.

“There are dozens of them that could do with these sort of funds,” Cr Atwell said.

The Night of Pride will be held at Malvern town hall. Picture Norm Oorloff

Stonnington Ratepayers Association president Dean Hurlston said the mayor shouldn’t “be gifting any ratepayers’ moneys (just like foreign aid) outside our city. We have our own issues to resolve first“.

But Stonnington Council Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos said he was proud to host the ball.

“The evening will be packed with outstanding performers from the LGBTIQ+ community and auction items generously donated by Stonnington businesses,” Cr Stefanopoulos said

Victorian Pride Centre acting chair Stuart Kollmorgen said the centre was a statewide initiative and the first in Australia, which welcomed all LGBTIQ people, their families, allies and communities.

Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos says he’s proud to host the upcoming mayoral ball. Picture: Penny Stephens

“The City of Stonnington’s contribution will be matched by other municipalities,” Mr Kollmorgen said.

Chapel Street Precinct Association general manager Chrissie Maus said the Chapel Street precinct had a high LGBTIQ+ community and the theme and philanthropic sentiments of the event reflected the local population perfectly.

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Sacred Heart Mission’s Anna Paris said homelessness was due a lack of affordable, safe and secure housing.

“Other factors can contribute or exacerbate vulnerability to homelessness, including family violence, poverty, trauma, severe and persistent mental illness and psychological distress, chronic illness or disability, financial crisis, and long-term unemployment,” Ms Paris said.

Stonnington Council chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said the council was rolling out a rough sleeping action plan that would see them working closely with police, health, housing and homelessness services to monitor homelessness and develop a co-ordinated approach.

The latest census data revealed an 11 per cent increase in Victorian homelessness and 14 per cent rise across Australia.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed 24,817 Victorians were counted as experiencing

homelessness, up from 22,306 in 2011.

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