DEPUTY mayor Bobby Bourke was happy to squeeze into a pair of high heels on Monday to show support for this weekend’s White Ribbon Day.
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But he was just as happy to squeeze out of them.
“My bloody feet are already sore,” he said as he wrestled free of the stylish pair once the camera flashes had stopped. “I don't think men are made for high heels.”
Cr Bourke and staff of Radio Rentals Bathurst were in the high heels as part of the Radio Rentals Wear-a-Pair campaign, which the company uses to show support for White Ribbon Day.
MPs, mayors and deputy mayors from all over Australia are invited to wear a pair of high heels and participate in a photo shoot in the lead-up to White Ribbon Day, which is held on November 25 each year and which aims to encourage men to take a stand against domestic violence.
“Seemingly lighthearted, the Wear-a-Pair campaign is about empathy and taking a stance against domestic violence in our community,” White Ribbon Ambassador and Thorn Group (which owns Radio Rentals) chief marketing officer Darren John Aquilina said.
“We want to send the message that you are not alone. There are many organisations and support services in Bathurst that are here to help the community.”
Cr Bourke said he was happy to get involved.
“Council is an advocate of White Ribbon because so many people within the local community are touched by domestic violence,” he said.
The deputy mayor, who was only recently named best-dressed man at a Melbourne Cup calcutta at Rydges Mount Panorama, said he’d had some preparation for Monday’s dress-up.
“It’s the second time in my council career that I’ve had these [high heel] shoes on,” he said.
The first time, he said, was at the reverse debutante ball fundraiser held early in his time at council, when local men put on a dress to raise money for charity.
White Ribbon Australia works to prevent violence towards women by using an ambassador program and initiatives with schools and workplaces.