Geelong homeless charity plans in turmoil A CONTROVERSIAL Geelong homelessness fundraiser is in turmoil after the charity set to profit now refusing to take
the cash after a public spat. The owner of the Geelong West bar who was throwing the charity gig lashed out at the “do gooders” who have thrown his plans into chaos. Cloud 9 initially asked people to come dressed as Geelong’s most famous homeless man, dubbed “Deeta”, but after a public outcry the bar decided to remove the dress-up theme and just hold the fundraiser. The State Government’s Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville branded the event “disrespectful” while the Catholic Church labelled it a “tacky” stunt. The Salvation Army earlier this week said it would accept the funds raised but urged people not to impersonate “Deeta”. But yesterday the Salvation Army’s social housing regional manager Lisa Dalla-Zuanna said the controversy now prevented it accepting the funds. “It was just inappropriate to have one person representing homelessness issues because people are placed into that situation for a variety of reasons,” she said.
Cloud 9 owner Gorge Camorra yesterday defended his original dress-up theme night.