George named Mr HCB 2011

32-year-old George Showell took out the title of Mr Harbour City Bear 2011 at the Exchange Hotel on Saturday night, beating fellow contestants Stephen Bennett and Akren Garkos to the prize.

Showell, a Project Officer from Erskineville with an interest in filmmaking, was the crowd favourite and impressed the judges across the beach wear, bear wear and fetish wear rounds.

“I was a little bit nervous, but (hostess) Joyce Maynge put me at ease. It was a hot venue with almost 200 people packed in there, and a lot of friends to cheer me on,” Showell told the Star Observer.

Showell was awarded a cash prize and a return airfare to Melbourne to compete for the title of Mr Australasia Bear on June 18.

“I’m hoping to do the best I possibly can down in Melbourne; I’m looking forward to representing the Harbour City Bears. And the Harbour City Bears President, Jonny Bastin has told me that there’s lots planned for me in the year ahead.”