New Mardi Gras admits mistake and elects new board

New Mardi Gras (NMG) has conceded that the reason for splitting the Parade and Party to separate weekends was due to a scheduling error with commercial partners and sponsors. The admission was made during the organisation's annual general meeting on Wednesday, held at Kensington, where a new board was elected.

Under intense questioning by members, the board said the split behind the two events was because of conflicting arrangements.

All members of the board were re-elected at the meeting, along with two new candidates: Lynne O'Brien and Michael Douglas. The election brings to eight the total number of board members. The re-elected board members include Joshua Keech, Tony Knight, Kirk Muddle, Rob Partos, Nicholas Parker and Steph Sands.

The 2010 Mardi Gras has a new format for 2010, lasting two weeks and punctuated by major events on three successive weekends – Launch at Fair Day, Parade and Party.

The key dates for the Mardi Gras Season are:
Launch/Fair Day - 21st February
Parade and post-Parade Event - 27th February
Harbour '10- 10 - 28th February
Party - 6th March

New Mardi Gras Releases Annual Report Election for Vacant Roles to Take Place

The recently released 2009 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras annual report, hailed the 2008-2009 period as a platform for future growth.

The report revealed the organisation to be in good financial health, making a profit of $389,900 for 2008-2009 period, or eight per cent of revenue.

Outgoing Chair, David Imrie, confirmed that the 2009 season had further strengthened Mardi Gras’ place as one of Sydney’s key events. “This year saw Mardi Gras further cement its place as one of Sydney’s major cultural forces, adding major partnerships and generating even greater enthusiasm within our community and outside,” he said.

Imrie pointed to new partnerships with the NSW State Government, Foxtel and Atlantis Events as examples of Mardi Gras' strong position.

Meanwhile the report revealed the nominees for the new directors of the company. The twelve nominees vying for the eight vacancies are – in ballot order – Mohamed Duar, Joshua Keech, Joshua Crouthamel, Tony Knight, Kirk Muddle, Adam Atkin, Lynne O’Brien, Rob Partos, Nicholas Parker, Stephanie Sands, Michael Douglas and Adam Bratt.

The election for the vacancies will be held at the NMG AGM on Wednesday, August 19.