Name game enters code

– Shaun Inguanzo
OUTRAGE over proceedings at this year’s Mayoral Gala Charity Concert has prompted swift changes to Greater Dandenong Council’s use of the term ‘mayoral’.
The ‘mayoral’ tag, which is often applied to fundraising events to heighten their credibility, now has a strict code of practice thanks to a public tussle that erupted between the concert’s organiser Maree Arthur and current Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown over ticket pricing for the August event.
The code of practice, formulated by council officers and approved this week by councillors, will see the council now have to sign off on all media and marketing materials associated with the event.
In events where fundraising occurs, the organisers and council must sign a partnership agreement.
“Other instances have occurred where permission was given by council for use of the term ‘mayoral’ in support of a fundraising event,” the report to council states, referring to the concert.
“This resulted in some misunderstandings and some very negative media coverage surrounding what should have been a great event.”