Get ready for Mardi Gras

Hume Phoenix will hold their General Meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 6.30-7.30pm at Gateway Community Health, Wodonga. This is a great chance to have input into the GLBTI community in Albury-Wodonga. The meeting is located at the rear of the building.

For more info on other upcoming Hume Phoenix events visit http://humephoenix.com.au/upcoming-events

REAL is also back for another year with ongoing regular and special events for same-sex attracted women in the Illawarra. Find out more by visiting their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/29229974902/

It may seem like we’re halfway through 2012 already, but summer is still with us (despite what the weather seems to think.) That means you have a few brief weeks to finish your Mardi Gras preparations, get along to the festival and enjoy whatever sun decides to peak through the clouds in the remaining days of the season.

If you would like to take part in the Parade, some local floats are still recruiting. To find out more, call 02 4226 1163.

If you are in the Wollongong area, you can always drop into ACON’s Illawarra office to pick up a copy of the Mardi Gras festival guide for details of other events, or visit www.mardigras.org.au

Another great way to experience Mardi Gras is to volunteer for events, such as the film festival, Fair Day or the Parade. These events are about community and wouldn’t happen without the army of volunteers helping to bring it all together. It’s also a great way to meet people!

In other big news, the second ACON Southern Regional HIV positive gay men’s retreat is being organised for March 23 – 25. This event will be held in the rolling hills of the Illawarra. Please contact Peita on 02 4226 1163 to find out more.

INFO: For more about groups, services or organisations in the Southern Region, contact ACON on 02 4226 1163 or email [email protected]

Trevor Slattery is a Community Health Promotion Officer at ACON’s Illawarra branch.