Co-Convenor's Report

Secretary's Report

Campaigns Reports

Events and Fundraising Report

Treasurer's Report

Summary of Achievements

Thank you

ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002

Events + Fundraising Report

Fundraising is now a crucial issue for all gay and lesbian community organisations and once again, the Lobby's Events and Fundraising Committee was enormously busy in this past year organising and taking part in some great events and fundraising activities.

The E&F Committee has been incredibly committed and deserves a huge thank you from me for its dedication in raising the profile of rights issues and raising funds to keep the Lobby work going. I would like to thank all the E&F volunteers this year, especially Colin Redman, Katie McGovern, Kate Randall, Grant Colquhoun, Suzie Tay, Shane Garland and Robert McGrory who all put in that extra effort.

Our fundraising activities didn't start well this year with much of the money raised at a theatre performance of "The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin" being stolen when I was mugged at Redfern. Despite my girlfriend's best efforts in putting up a chase, my bag and the money got away. Nevertheless, thanks go to Andrew Dunn and the Ross Mollison Group, and all those who supported the Lobby by coming to the performance.

Mardi Gras is always the busiest time for the E&F Committee and this year was no exception, starting with our third successful 'Launch Party' to mark the beginning of the Festival. Again we were at the Stonewall Hotel and had an incredibly busy but fun night. The Stonewall's three-floors were packed all through the night and the gorgeous Candy Box put on a special show during the night. We raised nearly $4,000 at the door, almost double that of last year.

Fair Day is always a favourite of mine and we held a Lobby stall again this year, selling our new Lobby t-shirts as well as handing out many of our factsheets. As was done last year, we also gave out our always-popular Lobby tattoos to all the flesh-flashing bodies that came along.

For the first time, we were involved in this year's Fur Ball, organised by Izzie Kormos. Lobby Committee members and volunteers staffed the cloak-room for the night and raised nearly $100. We all had a great night watching the fur-riffic fashions and received an additional $300 from the Fur Ball bar towards our Parenting Campaign.

First Fleet and NiteGroove have continued to be the Lobby's main sources of funding and we are, as always, grateful to them.

First Fleet had its farewell Harbour Party over two amazing nights on the Harbour foreshore. First Fleet has always been a great supporter of the Lobby and we wish all the organisers well and pass on our enormous THANKS for being our principal sponsor over the last six years. The Lobby was there on both nights - collecting donations ($1039 was raised from the donation buckets) and handing out sun-screen and Lobby tattoos. We had a great weekend and know that everyone who went along did as well. First Fleet contributed $50,000.00 from the nights towards the Lobby which has ensured that we can survive into the next year.

"Fighting for our Rights" was the Lobby's colourful and energetic entry in this year's Mardi Gras Parade. About fifty people were led by four glamorous boxers in sequined robes and satin boxer shorts fighting for our rights up Oxford Street to the sounds of humbawumba. Thanks to all the members and friends of the Lobby who volunteered to march and joined in the theme by creating their own boxing and fighting styles.

As usual Frisky was our favourite way to end the Mardi Gras season. The Lobby always welcomes the opportunity to be involved with the Frisky Parties produced by Nite Groove. Nite Groove and the Frisky Parties continue to be our most regular source of income with the Lobby earning $9133.00 in the last financial year.

To commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 uprising at New York City's Stonewall Inn and to ensure gay and lesbian rights were a focal point, the Lobby was again on the organising committee of this year's Pride Week. In addition to general organising, the Lobby hosted two of its own events during the week.

The first, our community forum - 'Rhythms of our Rights', was held at Gilligans in the Oxford Hotel on 25 June. Although only a small crowd attended, a number of key issues were discussed and many thoughtful questions answered. Our speakers included the Lobby's own Alex Sosnov (parenting), Andrew Pickles ('missing pieces' legislation) and Anthony Schembri (facilitator), as well as David Mills, Sydney Star Observer (role of the media in reporting on gay and lesbian issues), Brad Gray, Anti-Violence Project (update on violence against our community), Peter Maplestone, UNSW researcher (age of consent issues). Thanks to Terry Percy and the Oxford staff for setting up the night.

On 29 June, 'Rhythms of the Night' at the Midnight Shift was a wonderful fundraising success. Over $4,500 was raised for our 'NSW - the Last State' campaign including the production of our postcard resources. Thanks to Damon Hartley and Norwest Productions for the sound system, Paul Finegan and the Midnight Shift for the venue and support in making the night a success, One Stop Dee Jay for ticketing help and JoJo Fernandes for his masterful production, sublime DJing and tireless support for the work of the Lobby. Thanks also to all the performers and our hardworking volunteers for staffing the door. A similar night is currently being planned for November 2002 so we hope you can come along.

Thanks again to everyone at First Fleet and NiteGroove for the vital funds that will ensure we can continue the fight for our social and legal rights.

I think the year ahead will be an especially important one for events and fundraising, with the crisis now facing Mardi Gras and other gay and lesbian organisations, but with your support we hope to make it another eventful year.

Nikki Maloney
Events + Fundraising Convenor