Bears look for new king
The Harbour City Bears have started the search for a new ambassador who’ll represent the club at the annual Mr Bear Australasia competition in Melbourne in June.
Mr Harbour City Bear will be held at Spectrum (on the first floor of the Exchange Hotel on Oxford St) on May 21, and is expected to draw another big crowd of Bears, Cubs and their friends and supporters.
“The Mr HCB competition is open to any HCB member. They can nominate themselves or be nominated by their friends and we’ll ask if they’d like to compete,” Harbour City Bears volunteer co-ordinator Marcus Pastorelli told the Star Observer.
“Mr HCB will be awarded a cash prize as well a return airfare to Melbourne to compete for the title of Mr Australasia Bear on June 18.”
Pastorelli said the judges — including SSO Media CEO Scott Abrahams and SameSame editor Matt Akertsen — would be looking for some very specific attributes.
“The Harbour City Bears is an inclusive community association and we welcome contestants who are Bears, Cubs, young guys, old guys and all races and nationalities,” he said.
“We’re looking for a someone who is likeable, friendly and sexy. Sexy comes in all shapes and sizes, not just physical attributes.
“Ideally it is someone who’s prepared to get up on stage and have a laugh, have some fun and who is prepared to get involved with us afterwards as the face of HCB and our community, events and special projects.”
This year marks the third time HCB has gone in search of a public representative through the competition.
The inaugural winner, Jason Lee, went on to win the Mr Australasia Bear and Mr Great British Bear Bash titles in 2009.
Last year, 34-year-old Croydon Park father of one and insurance company director Justin Hyde (pictured) took home the coveted sash.
Pastorelli encouraged people from all corners of the community to nominate, or consider nominating someone.
“The Mr HCB competition is a public event and anyone is welcome — not just the Bear community — to attend and watch the fur fly,” he said.
info: The Mr Harbour City Bear competition is at Spectrum, above the Exchange Hotel on Oxford St, from 9pm on Saturday, May 21. For more information visit www.harbourcitybears.com.au
DOWNLOAD: Mr HCB2011 entry form
