High heeled fundraiser hoping for well-heeled donors

Ashlee McGuire knows what it is like growing up with depression and anxiety and she wants to show others that help is at hand.

In a bid to raise awareness about mental illness and fundraise for Beyond Blue, Ashlee has gathered a group of brave locals who will be strutting the stage in an amateur drag queen competition.

“So we have a few local ‘celebrities’ competing and they are going to do a lip synch battle. They'll be dancing and lip syncing to a favourite song of theirs and then we have Phil Donato and Betty Confetti who are our judges,” said Ashlee, who is currently on maternity leave and decided to use her time away from work to help raise money for a cause she is passionate above

“I've had a life filled with anxiety and depression and growing up I didn't have anything, any tools that were readily available to me, but as I've grown up I’ve realised that there are lots of people and organizations out there that are willing to help people through hard times and make sure people are aware that they are not alone.

“Having these problems in life, they don't have to be debilitating; there are always people there to help. Over 45 per cent of Australians will experience some kind of anxiety or depression within their life so that's a pretty high number.”

So why an amateur drag competition?

“I think that there are a lot of people that go through life wearing a bit of a mask, there are a lot of people who suffer from depression or anxiety and you don't know. So what better way than to have people dress up and, in a way, express who they really are while not having to be themselves,” she said.

The competition, called Having the Blues Can be a Real Drag will feature routines from six competitors, including Ashlee herself.

“So we've got: Dr David Howe; Matt Jeffery, who is one of our local fire fighters; Scott Preston, who is an IT guru up at James Sheahan; we've Stacy Carthew who works at St George and my little brother Jack. he's flying over from Adelaide, and he's going to participate as well,” said Ashlee.

Dr David Howe, Scott Preston, Betty Confetti, Matt Jeffery and Ashlee McGuire.

The acts will be judged by Member for Orange Phil Donato alongside Bathurst drag performer Betty Confetti aka Jonathan Hosking.

“I’m very excited, it is my very first drag competition that I'm judging,” said Hosking in character as Betty Confetti.

“We will be looking at different things like their outfit, how they can sync but also their overall performance — it is an overall trifecta of things.”

Betty was willing to offer this little piece of advice to the competitors.

“Just have fun with it honestly! I know that is a cliché, but just don't be caught up in the details. Throw a bit of colour on, throw a wig on and just have fun because that fun will transfer into your performance and that's what we will take note of.”

First time competitor Dr David Howe seems to be taking it all in his stride.

“I've been on stage for different functions, but never performing,” said Dr Howe.

“I just got a call from Ashlee and she put it out there. I know Matt and I spoke to him and thought if Matt is going to do it, there's no reason I can't do it!

“I’m not so much nervous, but I'm trying to get my dance steps perfected and that's taking time.”

Having the Blues Can be a Real Drag takes place at 6.30pm Saturday 15 February at the Orange City Bowling Club. For more information look for the event page on Facebook or make a donation at fundraise.beyondblue.org.au