Mayor Dallas Tout and mentor Dionne Crook (centre) will be raising money for Megan (left), Beck and the team at the Vilomah Community during Wagga Takes Two. Photo: The Vilomah Community.
For the past two decades, Wagga Takes Two has been a major event on the city’s calendar.
It brings together local celebrities to perform on stage, to either the surprise or anguish of a packed crowd, all in the name of raising money for charity.
For the past three years, Wagga’s very own Mayor, Dallas Tout, has been on the hit list for the crew at Wagga Takes Two, slowly chipping away at him before finally getting his nod for the 2025 show.
Now, after years of deflecting, Councillor Tout will take to the stage. Whether his performance will be incredible or infamous is anyone’s guess, including his own.
“I definitely have never sung in public before,” he said.
“I have no clue if I’m any good. I’ve never danced and I’ve never really performed in public, so this will be very, very interesting.”
Cr Tout will be joined by Dionne Crook, who has been serving as his mentor since he joined the show earlier this year. The pair will be raising money for The Vilomah Community, a small charity that supports families during pregnancy and infant loss.
“Dionne is an amazing mentor,” Cr Tout said.
“She’s really, really good. She’s done it for about three years now, and she’s a really calming influence who takes it one step at a time.
“She’s very gentle with me, but we’re reaching the point where she’s pushing a bit harder now as we get closer and closer to the event.
“We have been raising money for The Vilomah Community. I first learnt about them when I met a beautiful couple, Megan and Beck. In previous years, when I was asked to take part in Wagga Takes Two, I hadn’t quite found a cause.
“The Vilomah Community is amazing, and the work they do is incredible. This year the stars aligned, and now we’re only a couple of months away.”
The duo will be singing along with:
- Alex Manley and his mentor, Mel Hale, singing for Can Assist
- Belle Humbert with mentor Amber-Rose Walker, for Anglicare
- Haylee Burkinshaw and mentor Josh McKellar, for Cancer Council NSW Relay For Life
- Jasmin Lagaali with mentor Aaron Oldaker, for Carevan Inc, Wagga Wagga
- Jessica Cowled with mentor Harry Mangelsdorf, for Wagga Autism Support Group
- Lisa Linsell with mentor Shelly McCormack, for Riverina Bluebell
- Michael O’Reilly with mentor Joe Madden, for the George Maher and Hamish Howard Foundation
- Rochelle Bennett with mentor Bill Robertson, for the Riverina Cancer Care Community Trust
- Stacey Suidgeest with mentor Matt Olsen, for Ronald McDonald House South West NSW.
While Cr Tout has yet to give any indication as to what song he will be performing, he did admit he was shocked that he wasn’t allowed any input.
“I was under the impression that I had some form of input, but in the end, I didn’t,” he joked.
“I’m really excited to get out there and give it my best shot and just have fun. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and raising money and promoting charities. So, what’s to lose in the end, other than a bit of embarrassment?”
Cr Tout said the event was a winner for everyone involved: the local community, the spectators, the participants and most importantly, the charities.
“This event typifies exactly what Wagga and the surrounding regions are like,” he said.
“We have a very, very generous community here. Whenever there’s galas on, or fundraisers or anything, there’s always a great turnout for it, that’s why shows like Wagga Takes Two have sold out every year for two decades.
“Wagga Takes Two is a winning product for everyone!”
The event will feature three shows from 2 to 4 October. Tickets can be purchased at the Wagga Takes Two here.
