Australia’s quirky mayors are embraced by the public

WHEN Aussies vote in their mayors, it seems the weirder the better. Among the most popular civic leaders in our history is this bunch of truly wacky characters. Spot anyone you voted for?

THEY are the mayors that have a flair for grabbing a headline and putting their electorates on the map. Here are some of Australia’s wackiest, best known and loved mayors.

Bruce Small, Gold Coast, QLD

This immensely popular mayor set the gold standard for self promotion, touring the world with a bevy of beautiful meter maids dressed in bikinis. Described as a ‘non-swearing, nondrinking, God-fearing Christian’, Mr Small proved he would do anything for his constituents, even posing with the scantily clad women in the 1960s as part of a tour. The stunt was designed to draw tourists to Gold Coast beaches after they were battered by cyclones. During the six years he was mayor, Mr Small, who made his fortune through Malvern Star bikes, helped to establish the Gold Coast as an international tourist destination. He was also known for riding a penny-farthing bicycle through Surfers Paradise at the head of a circus parade.

He may have been a God-fearing Christian but he wasn’t shy about a photo opportunity with the ladies.

Pat Reilly, Willoughby, NSW

A part-time Elvis impersonator, Mr Reilly, really knew how to get a crowd going. “He would quickly change from his mayoral robe to the white jumpsuit,” brother Raymond Reilly told mourners at Mr Reilly’s funeral this year. The larger than life character was one of the longest serving mayors in Australia and would readily belt out a tune to lighten up those community morning teas. He really was just a “hunk, a hunk of burning love” for his residents.

Pat Reilly loved to entertain residents with his Elvis impersonations. Picture: Supplied

Darryn Lyons, Geelong, VIC

This guy needs no introduction, Cr Lyons has been described as one of the world’s wackiest mayors. The former paparazzo and reality television star was in the news again this week after he fell off a horse while dressed in his mayoral robes. Sporting a colourful mowhawk, outrageous taste in suits and allegedly fake abs, he once wrapped his wife Elissa Friday, a former star of television show Beauty and the Geek, in the pages of the local newspaper for a photo shoot. While many couldn’t believe he was elected, he is widely considered to be doing a great job, his enthusiasm for his home town is infectious it seems.

Darryn Lyons’ flamboyant style has endeared him to the people.

Clover Moore, Sydney, NSW

The Lord Mayor of Australia’s biggest city has cultivated an image far removed from the traditional, stuffy politician. Cr Moore has sported her trademark suit, cropped hair and choker for at least a decade. Combined with dark lipstick, her gothic-looking style has set her apart from other politicians and helped keep her in office for 10 years. This married mother-of-two lived in Redfern way before it was gentrified and has been a long-term a supporter of gay and lesbian rights.

Clover Moore (centre) is right at home among the most alternative members of her community.

Paul Pisasale, Ipswich, QLD

He is arguably Australia’s most popular politician, receiving 88 per cent of the primary vote at the last election in 2012. But there is no arguing this mayor’s claim to the Guinness World Record — for the world’s biggest collection of short-black coffee cup sets. Cr Pisasale has 1,500 demitasse sets, that’s 6,500 cups. His collection has become a tourist attraction and people regularly donate more cups. “There’s no shortage of short-black coffee cups in Ipswich,” he says. No wonder he’s got the energy to keep campaigning.

Paul Pisasale has transformed his council chambers into a tourist attraction.

John So, Melbourne, VIC

Born in Hong Kong, Mr So became a cult figure in Melbourne and a symbol of multiculturalism in the city. He was the first person of Asian descent to become Lord Mayor of Melbourne and came to prominence during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He inspired T-shirts and even a song featuring the slogan “John So, he’s our bro”. At the closing ceremony of the games, the crowd went wild when Mr So’s name was mentioned. Some believe this was linked to the mayor’s underdog status, as he had been pushed out of the limelight by Premier Steve Bracks during official celebrations. Mr So’s appeal has also been linked to the fact he “spoke English funny” and could have a laugh at his own expense. We suspect Mr So had the last laugh though. He went on to become the longest-serving mayor of Melbourne before his retirement after seven years.

John So helped launch The Music Men's single, John So, he's my bro. All profits went to charity, what a guy.

Bertrand Cadart, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Tasmania

Sporting a handlebar moustache and flamboyant French accent, Mr Cadart gets around in a blue motor-trike. One of his first claims to fame was an appearance in Mad Max, where he plays a bikie thug who smashes a crowbar into a car. He also designed the post-apocalyptic motorcycles for the film and raced motorcycles. When he became mayor in 2005 after only two years on council, he traded his the mayoral car for a scooter. Since arriving in Australia more than 40 years ago, he has embraced his nickname ‘le frog’ and has a frog-themed souvenir shop.

With a moustache this big, how could you fail to remember Bertrand Cadart.

Why do you think we love our quirky mayors? Comment below