General News
15 December, 2022
Maryborough Pride Festival nearly here
Excitement is building for the inaugural Maryborough Pride Festival, which is now just over one month away. Set to take place on January 28 next year with a focus on youth, the festival is being organised by local Adrian Masterman-Smith, chair of...
Excitement is building for the inaugural Maryborough Pride Festival, which is now just over one month away.
Set to take place on January 28 next year with a focus on youth, the festival is being organised by local Adrian Masterman-Smith, chair of Mill House and Central Goldfields Shire councillor Wayne Sproull, as well as local groups.
Collaborating with the Maryborough Education Centre’s Pride Crew, Pride Goldfields — a social group for the LGBTIQA+ community — and the Central Goldfields Youth Council, Cr Sproull said the festival has been informed by the community.
“The event has a major focus on starting conversations and enabling conversations about identity and allowing our young people to find a space that’s theirs,” he said.
“Celebrating and embracing identity really underpins the aim of this festival.
“The alarming statistic is that queer youth is the largest single demographic for suicide.
“We know we need to support our young people and show that we are an accepting and inclusive community, if we do this then those young people would be more likely to stay in the community and become contributors to this community.”
Mr Masterman-Smith said Pride Festival is a country fair with marquees, bunting and a brass band.
“We want this to be a community, family-friendly event which has the support of as many employers as possible to show they are supportive of equal opportunities,” he said.
“This sends the message that this community is welcoming and inclusive.”
Kicking off with a rainbow conga line from the Station Domain at 11 am, alongside opening activities, the festival will march to Mill House Maryborough where festivities will get underway from 12 until 4 pm, with entertainment taking place from 4 until 6 pm.
“We’ll have the Maryborough Brass Band, a drag show, school bands and regional performers, thansk to the support of FREEZA, to keep the crowd entertained,” Mr Masterman-Smith said.
“We’ll also have four conversations taking place, including with Headspace, one focusing on trans and gender and another with Thorne Harbour Health, an organisation which focuses on offering a range of health services and programs aimed at LGBTIQA+ communities and people living with HIV.
“In terms of focusing on identity, we’ll also have pronoun pins available and we’ll be starting conversations around why they’re important.”
To provide access to those who may be without transport, residents can call to register pick up and drop off to the festival via the community bus.
Registrations are now open and can be made by contacting Mill House on 5461-3185.
For more information, visit pridefestivalmaryborough.org.au or follow Pride Festival Maryborough on Facebook.