Twenty-one in 2012

Sydney Leather Pride (SLPA) and Inquisition will be 21 years old in 2012.

The last few years have seen a period of rebuilding after a disastrous event that could have meant complete disaster for the organisation.

Some serious hard work by some dedicated individuals meant the SLPA is still with us. We are now much stronger and ready to take us into the next decade.

I came to the group through volunteering. Helping out at events has always been my way of giving back to my community. Lately that volunteering has taken the form of photography, capturing the many amazing men and women who attend events like the cocktail parties and Inquisition. I love the diversity of the expression our folk put into their outfits.

For some of us, volunteering leads to joining the committee. All community groups need management and while some may not agree with all decisions made by the committee, it is this group that puts in the 10-50 hours a week to provide you with exciting events.

I have been committee member, president and public officer of SLPA and, while it can be frustrating, it has been extremely rewarding. My long-term project was to pull together the new SLPA website (with the help of Drew at Enflexion).

My partner David has produced most of the Inquisition and SLPA marketing material for the last eight years. He was honoured this year as SLPA’s Leather Person of the Year for 2011. This award is presented to the volunteer or community member who has done significant work to support the leather/kink community.

After this year’s AGM we have decided it is time for new blood.

This year SLPA is completely debt-free, has built up some great regular events and 2012 will be the 20th Inquisition. The venue is already booked and many of you will agree returning to our old stomping ground of the Dome this year represented a wonderful welcome home.

If you can spare a couple of hours occasionally to offer to help out at an event, have a skill like accounting, secretarial, event management, etc we would love to see you at the AGM on October 23 to show your support.

We look forward to an exciting year in 2012. And a big thank you to Aaron for the amazing job he has done this year as president, and to Greg, Jon, Kevin, David and Diesel for all their efforts in 2011.

Yours in Leather,
Rod Spark