Above: Dancer Charlotte Gergeley takes Cr Mick Morland for a spin around the floor.
By Kelly Yates
THE first Mayoral Civic Dinner for 2008 turned into a Dancing with the Stars-style showdown as a number of councillors waltzed around the floor in front of about 150 guests.
The annual event, where Casey councillors recognise the efforts of volunteers and important community members, was held at Cranbourne’s Amberlee Receptions.
The night’s entertainment included floorshows by Narre Warren’s hip hop troupe Undasize, and British world champion Scottish highland dancer 15-year-old Emily Brown from Hampton Park.
With all the glitz and glam, the final performance had every guest tapping their feet to the beat of the music.
Ballroom dancers Michael Zinner and his partner Taylor Ferguson danced a classic waltz while fellow Latin American dancers James Hann and Charlotte Gergeley performed a jive routine.
After the show, the young dancers proceeded to teach councillors Brian Hetherton, Mick Morland, Lorraine Wreford and mayor Janet Halsall a waltz routine.
Councillor Wayne Smith was the master of ceremonies for the night and kept guests entertained with his quick-witted humour.
Cr Smith said he was pleased to see some of Casey’s talent perform.
“At most mayoral dinners we have some sort of entertainment. It makes it a less formal and more enjoyable style of dinner,” he said.
“The councillors didn’t seem embarrassed about dancing, but I wouldn’t put them on Dancing with the Stars.”
Greater Dandenong councillors Roz Blades and Jim Memeti also attended the dinner.
The night also raised funds to go towards cancer research as part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
