Urmson to lead Mardi Gras

Pete Urmson has been re-elected chair of the New Mardi Gras (NMG) board.

But the board already has a vacancy a week after the election, with Lisa Bradley not taking up her post.

Urmson co-chaired the 2010-11 board with Steph Sands, who did not stand for re-election. A vic-chair will also be appointed at a future date.

Phil Kershaw would remain as NMG Treasurer and Peter Munro as Company Secretary.

Three new Board Associates were also appointed:

Ian Walker, Head of Client Services at ACON

Amanda Keeling a member of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association Board with a media and marketing background

Mark Barbour who joins as the Sub-committee Project Manager and Board Associate

NMG also announced that it has a Director vacancy after Lisa Bradley was unable to take up her Board position.

“The past year has been a challenge as we started down the path towards a transformation,” Urmson said.

“I am very excited to be able to play a role as a Board member and as Chair in pushing this forward. We are at a time in our organisation’s history where it is crucial that we adapt to survive.

“The Board has benefitted from some great new blood over the last year, particularly through its sub-committees and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to add Amanda, Ian and Mark as associates, all highly talented individuals.”

There was no NMG board election this year after candidate Michael Douglas withdrew his nomination to take up a position on the NMG finance committee.

The organisation posted a $130,000 loss last season, attributed to the ongoing decline in ticket sales for the organisation’s key dance parties.

It has cancelled Sleaze for this year replacing it the the Big Gay Weekend, a joint fundraising initiative between NMG and some of Sydney’s best-know gay party promoter.