Dragging in the bush

Just like Bernadette from Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, Tobin Saunders has settled down in the country for a chance at love and tranquillity.

I left Sydney due the impersonal greed and its exuberant expense, Saunders told Sydney Star Observer. I was at the end of a dodgy relationship and losing my wits. My health was at risk and I needed to get away from the fast pace and noise.

Saunders moved into a house in South Ballina with his partner of 18 months.

We are the only two gays in the village. It was quite a big jump having a live-in relationship but we love and respect each other so it’s a good thing, he said.

But finding the perfect partner was a struggle in regional NSW.

We met on Gaydar. It was my only choice. We dated over the net for several weeks before we met. At the time he was studying and I was extremely busy. It took us a while to meet but now we are really comfortable, he said.

But being openly gay outside the city has not always been easy.

We do stand out like dog balls because we aren’t thick-neck ugly old cane farmers. We look different and I have been singled out.

There has been some homophonic graffiti at the beach and on signs directed at me. I also was abused by some young children while I was running along the beach calling me a -˜gaybo’.

The parents just ignored me. I rang the police and had to go through a long and arduous process of actually getting a report number. I urge people who are getting any discrimination to make sure you get a report number so you have a record.

Despite the homophobia, Tobin has hosted many successful art auctions in the area raising thousands of dollars for charity. He has also taught in Brisbane and is currently being filmed for a documentary by the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

Saunders will DJ at this year’s Mardi Gras in the retro room from 1:30am to 3am.

I’m really looking forward to Mardi Gras. I don’t DJ much and will be playing some cool disco and funk tracks.

For more information on Tobin and Vanessa, visit www.vanessawagner.com.au.