Acting President Greg, who apparently only had five minutes notice he was in the top job for the evening, admitted he couldn’t remember the normal opening so what does a good Rotarian do, they improvise, that is what they do. Among his duties for the evening was to introduce our guests for the evening including our presenter, Tyler Stafford, who would be giving us an update on the upcoming festival, Leeton Pride Festival.
Tyler Stafford, ably assisted on the night by our own Nicholas is currently the Festival Director for the upcoming event and wanted to update us as members of the public on what the Leeton Rainbow Pride Collective has been orchestrating.
A bit of background information about the Leeton Rainbow Pride Collective, they are Leeton’s biggest LGBTQ+ support and advocacy group. Their goal is to promote the health and well being of Leetons’ LGBTQ+ residents and advocate for greater acceptance in the community. The brass of the group is made up of Denise McGrath (Secretary and Founder), Diane Harrison (Treasurer), Fay (Communications Director), Nicholas Wright (Chair) and Tyler Stafford. They have been around since 2018 and have always wanted to host a festival here in Leeton, however due to past cost issues and COVID19, they haven’t been able to proceed until this year.
Tyler gave us a quick history lesson of one of their biggest supporters, partners and contributors; ACON. ACON was formed in 1985 during the global AIDS epidemic as a support and advocacy group for those affected by the disease. Although the epidemic has since died down with cases dropping everyday, ACON are still around to help those in the community who need help, and spread awareness with sexual health.
The group have established themselves in the community as hard workers who show up anytime they are needed. They participate in fundraisers and programs to help raise money and show the community they care; such as Bunnings BBQs, farmers markets and most recently, their Glam Up! Workshops which teaches the community how to be a drag performer.
The festival itself will take place from Friday 29 September until Sunday 1 October. Celebrations start with a launch part, planning on starting with a bang, a DJ has been hired for the event.
Saturday starts off with marshaling at the showgrounds, followed by the event everyone wants to see, the parade. Floats from different groups and organisations will drive or walk down the street. The Parade will end with a market in Mountford Park where businesses are invited to operate their stalls. An after party hosted by three drag queens will be held at the end of the day.
Sunday will start with brunch and festivities conclude with a Queer film night which will showcase many great queer films.
The Committee is expecting around 1,500 people to attend the festival which will help stimulate the local economy and create tourism for the surrounding areas too. The Committee are expecting to spend $27,000 in total for the long weekend and hope that the event will be successful enough to have every or second year.
Tyler on behalf of the Leeton Rainbow Pride Collective, and himself, thanked the Club for granting him an audience and to talk about the festival. For more information click on the link to the Leeton Pride website. leetonpride.org.au
********************************
Greg’s Quote of the Week
“All endings are also beginnings.
We just don’t know it at the time.”
― Mitch Albom from his book
“The Five People You Meet in Heaven”
********************************
Carmel’s Brain Teaser x 2
Couple short brain teasers this week, hopefully will take you even less than last week to work out the answers.
- Paul’s height is six feet, he’s an assistant at a butcher’s shop, and wears size 9 shoes. What does he weigh?
- The person who makes it has no need for it. The person who purchases it does not use it. The person who does use it does not know he or she is. What is it?
********************************
