PERFORMERS of the Footscray Community Arts Centre will take the stage for the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.
The centre’s disability arts program co-ordinator, Maxine Yates, said nine people who took part in the ArtLife activities were nominated to perform in the closing ceremony.
“We selected nine people from our three programs to try out at the audition,” she said.
“One from the Hackkets Band; four from Art Day West Program; and four from ArtLife Program,” she said.
“Out of the nine performers who went along for the audition, seven were chosen for the closing ceremony – one later decided to pull out.”
“It has given them a real feeling of being part of the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
“It’s given them a lot of confidence because they are often excluded from things.”
West Sunshine resident Stuart Fenley, of the Hackkets, said he was excited by the opportunity to take part in the event.
“I’m ecstatic that I’m going to be in the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony,” he said.
“Anxious about being a superstar.
“Absolutely scared to death of stuffing up.”
Mr Fenley said he could not disclose what he would do on the night, with organisers keeping under wraps details of the closing ceremony.
Mr Fenley is not a stranger to live shows.
The Hackkets rock band appears across Victoria at many community festivals.
The group specialises in Elvis Presley and Wilson Pickett favourite songs.
During the past six months Mr Fenley, a singer in the band, has grown Elvis Presley-like sideburns.
“In a way I wanted to be like my hero, Elvis,” he said.
Mr Fenley works as a trolley collector at Coles, Footscray Plaza, when he’s not on stage.
“I always wanted to be a trolley collector, ” he said.
It’s an occupation that he hopes to continue until his retirement.
Wesley Mission Melbourne organised the position for Mr Fenley through its employment program.
He works part-time and is helped by centre support worker Heather Newman.
The closing ceremony artists from the Footscray Community Arts Centre will be accompanied by support staff from the centre.
The closing ceremony will be held on 26 March.
