Mardi Gras: no Sands, no Sleaze

Mardi Gras: no Sands, no Sleaze

UPDATE:
Another NMG board member will also be standing down at next month’s AGM.
Catherine McCourt, who moved onto the board after one of last year’s elected members stood down next term, – noted under our story on Facebook:

“Steph, you will certainly be missed. It was great to work with you so briefly, i’m sure our paths will cross again..:). I have also decided not to re-stand.”

This brings to three the number of current board members not standing this year.

New Mardi Gras co-chair Steph Sands will not seek re-election at the organisation’s annual general meeting on August 6.

She announced her intention via her personal blog last night as news broke there will be no Sleaze Ball in 2011.

The co-chair is the second current board member to announce they will not be standing, with Josh Keech also announcing his intention to stand down yesterday.

“Later this week, nominations for Board positions will close at the Mardi Gras office. At 5pm on Friday, when the envelopes are opened, there will not be a nomination from me in the bunch,” Sands wrote on her blog.

“Last year, around this time, I made a commitment to myself that I would dedicate one last year to the organisation. I have done that with all my energy and best intentions and I continue to work until August 6th in my elected role. Despite the request of my co-chair to re-stand and many months of careful consideration, I plan to honour the commitment I made to myself a year ago.”

Sands and Keech are leaving the organisation as it prepares to front members with a second consecutive season loss.

Yesterday the Star Observer revealed the organisaiton had posted a $133K loss for the 2010/11 season. It followed the $575K loss in the season prior.

NMG also revealed yesterday there would be no Sleaze Ball this year. After 28 years or declining ticket sales and several years as a loss making event, it will instead be replaced by the Big Weekend – a joint venture between NMG and some local promoters.

The decision not to hold a Sleaze Ball and the loss of two long-term board members are expected to generate a significant number of questions at the organisations annual general meeting on August 6.

Members wanting to nominate for board positions have until 5pm this Friday.

Sands used her blog yesterday to encourage members to vote and vote wisely.

“For members reading this, I firstly encourage you to vote, and then vote for those candidates that are skilled, professional, and strategic and are known to abide by our codes of conduct. You will see if individuals have signed the Candidate code of conduct shortly,” she wrote.

“Whilst I am sad to leave the board, I will not leave the organisation entirely. I am excited to be able to step away from the overall big picture and focus in on areas that excite me. Area’s such as the women’s sub-committee and associated diversity programmes. I can now provide more energy to continue building these specific parts of the organisation and ensuring that women and minorities in our community continue to have a voice within Mardi Gras.

“Mardi Gras will always hold a special place in my heart and like any difficult intense relationship, I have laughed and cried in equal measures. Leaving is always hard, but it’s time. It’s time for me, and it’s time for the organisation to receive some fresh blood, passion and ideas to take it to the next level of its lifetime towards better years. I’m pleased that I could have been there to see it through some of its worst, and be able to hand it over knowing that it is on its way back to greatness.”

info: The New Mardi Gras annual general meeting is at 1pm, August 6 at the new ACON office, 414 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills.

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13 responses to “Mardi Gras: no Sands, no Sleaze”

  1. what you also have to keep in mind is that Mardi Gras is an opportunity for “Homophobia” while a parade is happening along Oxford street where provocative clothing and close to no clothing waltz down the street, some kid is being abused in the school yard.

  2. Thanks Steph for all the efforts you have made towards obtaining full equality for LGBTQI people.

    I also agree with ‘twat’ – I would love to see more young people involved in New Mardi Gras – the door is always open.

    It is interesting to see how people dismiss the benefits of the Parade so easily. We have come a long way in a relatively short period of time. The fact that many are unaware of this, and how instrumental the Parade was in this, just shows the rapid social acceptance and positive change for LGBTQI people. But there is more to be done – marriage equality is one, full equality for all under anti-discrimination laws as well – no exceptions.

  3. @ oliver and neail u are such haters darls !

    i will really miss the sleazeball as it is always better than mardi gras party however i think twat is correct we need to see new ideas and new party concepts like smaller youinger vibrant atmospheres !

  4. I think the organization is struggling in keeping up with the times and the evolving interests of the community.
    They need to do more in getting a younger generation involved.

  5. Oh. And no, I didn’t go to the party. Why would anyone spend $150 when the organisers can not even give you a headline act? It’s all whispers and rumour then on the night nothing happens.

  6. How long until Mardi Gras is sent to the scrap heap? Instead of burning through money for nothing.
    A parade up the street that does NOTHING for the gay community (unless you count creating something for everyone to laugh at) followed by a few parties.

    I volunteered this year for the first time ever. Never again. Just scrap it an stop the whole “Gay v Straight” mentality the Gay Collective seem to enjoy creating.

  7. As a Board member for a (much smaller than NMG) community organisation, I know how much time gets taken up. I commend Steph on the amount of time and energy she has given NMG.

    I can honestly say we will miss her, because, out of the problematic organisation that is New Mardi Gras, Steph was the one person who actually listened to our organisation.
    Steph is dedicated to increasing diversity in Mardi Gras and having it better represent and support the people it needs to.

    I sincerely hope that the initiatives Steph has put in place continue, and that NMG does not become a boys club focused on profits, spectacle, and partying.

    Mardi Gras can, and should, be used as a tool for change. The massive publicity it gets should be able to be used by people who need to get their voice heard.
    Steph gave us this chance.

    Congratulations Steph, hope you enjoy your well deserved break.

    Oh, as to “Yeah Yeah”, I will add to the chorus, inviting you to join a community organisation and try and organise a party. Not easy at all.

    *These are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisation I’m a part of*

  8. Thanks for your wonderful contribution to the story “Yeah Yeah”
    Keep on flaming on.

  9. yeah yeah, what a terrible thing to say. Mardi Gras is run by so many volunteers including the board. They should be congratulated for giving up so much of their time to fight for this community. If only the community could support them more i.e. go to the party. Why don’t you volunteer for the board and contribute positively?

  10. Hey yeah yeah,
    Can you do better. Stop complaining and attacking. If you can do better put your hand up and get on the board. Be part of a solution not just a whiner.

  11. Yeah yeah,

    By chance have you ever been on the board of a community org?
    Based on your comment I would say NO, runnning one is no easy feat and parties are one of the hardest parts.
    If people like yourself put more effort into supporting and contributing to Mardi Gras and the like, our community would be much stronger. If you aren’t happy with something get actively involved and help make change.

    Congrats Steph on getting a large chunk of you life back, you need it Babe

  12. Mardi Gras is such a Fucked up Company now . Cant get nothing right.
    Cant even get a Party Happening or Organised. How Ridiculous.