New Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO confirms possible parade u-turn

New Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO confirms possible parade u-turn
Image: Michelle Bauer has stepped down from her role as Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras' interim CEO. (Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)

HIGH on the to-do list for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ new interim chief executive is looking at the possibility of reversing the direction of the iconic parade, so it heads towards and even through the CBD.

In an exclusive interview with the Star Observer to mark her ascension to the top job, Michele Bauer said preparations for Mardi Gras’ 40th anniversary in 2018 were also a top priority and that the current season was on track for a “positive” financial result following last year’s cost blow outs.

However, she remained circumspect as to why Mardi Gras has been unable to secure a permanent replacement for current chief executive Michael Rolik, who steps down next week.

Bauer praised her predecessor, highlighting an increase in sponsorship and the handling of the relationship with police following accusations of heavy handedness at previous parties and parades.

“Michael’s done some amazing things for the organisation,” she said.

“When we had the policing problems a couple of years ago he has worked very closely with the police to improve those processes… to the point where complaints are pretty much nothing.”

Bauer, who was raised in upstate New York and settled in Australia 12 years ago, has a background in arts and entertainment.

Previous employers have included New York’s famous Metropolitan Opera, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Victorian Opera.

Bauer says a career highlight was working on the broadway production of Suessical The Musical based on the madcap Dr Seuss children’s books.

She joined the Mardi Gras board in 2012 after volunteering, which included a stint of “sawing things and sticking things” in the workshop.

Bauer acknowledged Mardi Gras had a difficult 2014, recording a $178,000 loss and having to face questions about music choices at signature events.

“It’s no secret we had a loss last year and some of the feedback about Harbour Party was not fantastic,” she said.

“[But] I can honestly say that that has completely taken a 180.”

She added that Mardi Gras “took on board the feedback, made changes and it’s paid off,” citing favourable feedback for Harbour Party and that numbers for the post-Parade party were “way okay” despite a reduced footprint with the closure of the Dome venue.

Michelle Bauer (centre) with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras co-chairs Fran Bowron and Paul Savage at the 2014 Mardi Gras Party. (Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)
Michelle Bauer (centre) with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras co-chairs Fran Bowron and Paul Savage at the 2014 Mardi Gras Party. (Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)

Asked if Mardi Gras would be able to turn round last year’s loss, Bauer said “the numbers aren’t done yet but it will be a more positive result”.

Bauer was appointed direct from the board following a failed search for a permanent CEO.

“We went out to market, we had a bunch of people apply and some of the choices didn’t work out for various reasons and so the board chose to make an internal appointment for up to six to nine months,” she said.

Bauer would not be drawn on whether renumeration was a sticking point in appointing a permanent CEO or if other board members had stood against her for the interim position.

However, despite the caretaker role, Bauer said there was no time to rest.

“It can’t just be ticking the boxes, we’re moving too rapidly for that,” she said.

“We’re heading towards the 40th anniversary and we need to start planning for that and where we want to be in three years.”

Michelle Bauer marching with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras contingent at this year's St Patrick's Day street parade in Sydney. (Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)
Michelle Bauer marching with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras contingent at this year’s St Patrick’s Day street parade in Sydney. (Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)

Bauer said she would follow through on Rolik’s plan to look at changing the parade’s direction or even threading it through Sydney CBD streets like the popular St Patricks Day and Chinese New Year parades.

Currently, the parade route starts on the CBD fringe at the beginning of Oxford St and heads down to Moore Park via Taylor Square and Flinders St.

“We are exploring the feasibility of that and exactly would that would entail because we already shut down half the city for Parade so if we turn around what will that do and who will that affect,” Bauer said.

One consequence of reversing the Parade could mean it would open up alternative venues for party.

Was that being considered?

“We have a relationship with the Entertainment Quarter for now but no contract lasts forever,” Bauer said.

“We are exploring what other options there are and how the EQ itself is going to change over the next three to four years and not just them but also Darling Harbour.

“The whole city is going through a massive period of change in the next five years and we will ultimately be affected by that.”

While none of these changes were likely before next year,  one change Bauer was actively looking into was how to ensure the Parade reached a larger audience.

While full of praise for SBS’ highlights show, she was aware not all the floats were featured on the broadcast.

“We’d be crazy not to at least explore the option of a live web broadcast,” she said.

However, “legal limitations” such as music licensing regulations, meant it wasn’t a forgone conclusion.

Bauer said she was comfortable with the balance between the commercial and the political at Mardi Gras, noting the focus on homophobia in sport at this year’s parade.

She said Mardi Gras was a “fabulous organisation” which supported a festival that was all about self expression.

“You can cheer about it, dance about it, write a sign or whatever it is that you want to do and we provide the platform,” she said.

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81 responses to “New Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO confirms possible parade u-turn”

  1. The parade route is a certain way for a certain reason. Particularly that it leads to the party which you can then enter. It would be pointless as it currently stands it’s a hassle if you want to try and get out of fox studios and go home before going to the party. And the traffic changes are a nightmare. So uhhhhh……..let’s figure out how you are going to get people from wherever the parade could possibly end to the party first

  2. I think it should start from Taylor square go down hill. So much more forgiving in heels. Proceed via college st and finish at the domain for a massive festival. Where harbour party can be held as well as an event similar to after party.

    • Even thats not a bad idea, Tony,, combine that unsuccessful overpriced harbour party with the big one,, if they can have a straight music festival in the Domain, then why not the mardi gras party?

    • The problem, Tony is that the domain would be very exe to hire and there would need to be huge marquees, fences etc, and loads more security than the ET, murder gras wouldnt do it there

  3. Hi everyone. Thank you for your comments. Just to be clear, we are exploring community suggestions that have been put forward, but nothing is definite. We are very interested in your thoughts, so keep the conversation going. I’m looking forward to hearing from all of you. – Michele (CEO)

    • MG enough with lies! The community has had enough! The queers have already distanced themselves from MG- what are you waiting for? Keep doing things the way you do, this will be the end of MG! Stop working against the community

    • Wow, MG gets instantly attacked in the same breath as everyone says how important they are. I don’t envy those who stand up to keep it running, it’s a tough gig. Community consultation sounds like the sensible way forward, don’t see what the fuss is about.

    • The fuss is that it feels like this is already a done deal. You do know that Darling harbour is being re developed yeah?

      And it’s not being done for the best interests of our community but for the best interests of our corporate masters.

  4. I dont really care for the mardi gras. Im bored by it. Its the same every year. Changing location is supposed to distract us from the fact that its now a superficial piece of irrelevance?

  5. Keep it the way it is and change the party to festival format in a moore park. Invite heaps gay, extra dirty, club kooky etc to have a tent or space for a more inclusive party/community event.

  6. Compared to other prude parades the route is incredibly short. Extending it to allow more people to actually get to see it may be a good idea.

  7. I hope she also changes the Water Supply Company POLICY on removing all water bottle tops at point of sale OR changes the supplier. This policy poses a significant health risk to the people who support and attend the Mardi Gras after pary and is totally based on an attempt by the supplier to increase revenue. RENOGIATE THE POLICY OR CHANGE THE SUPPLIER…..it’s that simple.

  8. Why does MG continue to lie to the community! It’s been decided that the parade will be from Taylor square to darling harbour with the after party be held at darling harbour! MG is selling our interest to the state government as fast as end of season sales! For this I blame both MG itself and us the community in general!
    MG for losing its integrity and commitment to deal with LGBTIQ issues and more and more making the one day event a year more and more commercial controlled by groups who is effect do a little in return for the best free advertising show and the community at large for being so passive about the only one organisation that historically spoke in our name! MG is yet to be about a celebration event, so long do there is 1 piece of legislation that discriminate against some community members based on sex or sexuality, MG is a continuous process of demonstration and struggle for full equality! Unless both community and the board come together, MG is doomed! This year was certainly a step in the wrong direction!

  9. She cannot be serious!! , Yep lets re-route the parade from where,? so start at Moore Park and along flinders then down Oxfrod street , Liverpool street, through the CBD, through chinatown to the Ancient , soulless, hideous empty container centre, where the after party held, then , Imagine leaving the party at 2.00am, 3. 4 or any time of the early morning , and wanting to head back up to Oxford street dressed in, well not much really, or some glamourous costume and have to negotiate your way through one of the most homophobic, violent , busy, scungy, nightlife parts of the city to get to Darlinghurst!!! yeah right ,,real smart move, Michelle Bauer!!

  10. I cant understand the need to change it…. perhaps they could canvas the lgbti community and then show responses… transparency is needed….

  11. The parade route has changed many times, due to various reasons; there are particular considerations to take into account regarding marshaling space required at the beginning, and proximity to the party at the end etc So before y’all ^^ go bitching and mouthing off, stop, reflect and get off your high horses.

    • Yes Dan it has changed many times, initially from Taylor Square down Oxford St to Hyde Park then to Kings Cross in 78. Since then it’s had various starting points in the city, including the AGNSW for example. Also the finish hasn’t always been Moore Park, it’s stopped before then etc. if you’d like to know more about the history of the route see for example: http://alga.org.au/2011/1033. Some of the route changes were covered in the 2013 Sydney Mardi Gras Museum exhibition, which I curated. :)

    • Nick Henderson,, ,youre being podantic to try to justify a stupid senseless Idea. (,except for the first protest march / parades ),,,,The essential part of the parade route HAS NOT CHANGED! Meaning ,. from the city end , to Moore park, or near the entertainment quarter (if you want to get nit picky)!! I should know I HAVE BEEN TO 31 OF THEM!!!

    • Apart from the first protest parade as far as I know it has always gone from the city to Moore Park. I have been in 24 of them and watched the others even the 78 protest. Yes it has started from differing points leading into Liverpool street and Oxford but always going in the same directtion

    • Dan, I am not trying to justify any ideas. I was challenging the incorrect notion that there has been no changes to the route and that any potential change is just for the sake of it.

      Some of those changes may have been minor, but in the context of community members proclaiming that it should never change / it has always been this way etc it is important to reflect on the actual history – even if there is a perception that such changes have been minor. Whether those changes are due to logistics, policing, costs etc. For some there is a bigger issue that the date was shifted from winter to summer, from Gay Solidarity Day/Stonewall Day etc

      I congratulate you on attending 31 parades, and Ian on being to 24 (and viewing them all). As I mentioned in my initial comment there are many reasons why the parade has taken the ‘nit-pickingly’ different routes it has. It is important to reflect on the complex history, dismissing any change purely to uphold ‘its direction (bar the first one) has always been one way’ denies the history and the complex reality of putting the event on.

    • Nick yes the parade route has changed, the difference this time is the reasons behind it! Practicality is one thing and giving the government control over what is to be a public revolt over government policy is another. Let’s see how many people you can actually piss off by making the parade from Taylor square to darling harbour, basically you put the entire Darlinghurst /CBD area in a lock down. Then the party at darling harbour means it ends at 3 am! You show me one person who will be happy to pay over $100 for such a party. It is one thing to be practical yet it’s another to sell us cheaply. What pisses me off is that nothing is open for community discussion – the board of MG works like a mafia and decisions were made! Sadly as much as I believe in the important role of MG, I am afraid the current people running MG are not acting in the community’s best interest! Just look at all these groups created leading the battles for changes of government policy such as marriage equality, where is MG leading role there? Nothing!
      We can’t close a blind eye simply because it’s MG, we are better off without MG than looking like a bunch of losers! This should be a wake up call for MG!

    • Fadi, there have been no decisions made as to the Parade route or the after Party location. All there is at the moment is ideas and suggestions that the organisation is having a closer look at. Any proposed changes would be put to the members and community for consultation and feedback. – David (Social team)

    • So what? Like starting at Taylor Square at 10:30pm, in June as part of Stonewall commemorations and support for international gay solidarity, walking down Oxford St to Hyde Park… Skip forward to Police harassment then a riot and being thrown into paddy wagons and assaulted in Kings Cross? #keepyourmardigrastraditinal …..

    • Better than selling out to corporate greed and having a party at Darling harbour.

      Come on nick. You know as well as anyone this is not a consultation this is a warning so we know that our parade party and community have been sold out to a government more interested in $$$$$ than fairness and equality.

      If the members overwhelming voted to take the parade to parramatta or Campbeltown do you reckon the board would go for that?

      I think they need to make their meeting minutes public so we know how quickly we are being sold out.

    • Nice quotes there , Nick, from which historic journal did you find it? They have left the ESSENTIAL ROUTE of the parade from the CITY END to the MOORE PARK/ entertainment Quarter like that for the last 25 or so year because IT WORKS!! And works well!!!!!

  12. Personally I believe that the parade should not change direction, however maybe going from Town Hall to Taylor square would be an alternative. The parade should finish around Oxford street so that the venues there don’t miss out.

  13. If they must reverse it. I don’t think they should. Take the Parade back to it’s roots. Send it to the steps of Sydney Town Hall from Taylor Sq.

  14. Going from volunteer to CEO in three short years sounds pretty crazy but she sounds like she knows what’s she’s doing and wants to do, so good luck to her..

  15. You lot have completely ruined it,bunch of self serving morons,the parades not about THE BOARD,or your over priced rubbish,its about the community,whats left of it…get a grip

    • I think everyone forgets Mardi Gras already went bankrupt – dead, buried, gone as the community event it was. Neither the ‘board’ or the current organisation had anything to do with that. The form it is in now is clearly one of the very few ways it will financially survive, yet people always want to complain want it back in community hands. and not acknowledge it already failed once! You don’t have to like changes and indeed have your say on the direction of the organisation (if your a member) but remember if it wasn’t for these ‘self serving morons’ we wouldn’t have a Mardi Gras at all. Yes, it is commercial. Yes, it is a business. It’s no longer run by the community, as that model went bankrupt!

    • Nick Henderson,, ,youre being podantic to try to justify a stupid senseless Idea. (,except for the first protest march / parades ),,,,The essential part of the parade route HAS NOT CHANGED! Meaning ,. from the city end , to Moore park, or near the entertainment quarter (if you want to get nit picky)!! I should know I HAVE BEEN TO 31 OF THEM!!!

  16. Keep true to the cause. Grow some ovaries and balls and take the parade to Western Sydney, and leave the attention-seeking-gentrified queers to their own devices.