Our 2023-2024 President’s Wrap Up! Written by Deb Chumbley (she/her)
I am so proud of the work our wonderful committee and volunteers have put in to make this such a successful year and I have such gratitude for all the work that makes Goulburn Valley Pride as amazing as it is. For our community this has been a year of ups and downs, we have seen establishment of our pride hub in the Tower Arcade and a return to a full social calendar but also disruption of a few events including the rainbow youth ball and our beloved drag story time with protesters and hate aimed at our community.
Our Events sub-committee have outdone themselves this year putting on a full calendar of events. We have seen many old favourites but lots of new and innovative happening. Our free Christmas BBQ was held at Aqua moves where we had the whole complex to ourselves for lots of watery fun and a great turnout by community. Our Gala event this year was again held at the Woolshed with Under The Big TOP as our theme. We have been tenpin bowling, bushwalked in Rushworth and learned History Can Be Queer
GV Pride continues to be recognised as a peak body for our community, acting as a liaison for community with Rural Pride Australia, Equality Minister and Greater Shepparton City Council. GV Pride is often called on by media outlets for perspective or opinion on current issues and events. When Rainbow Storytime was cancelled GV Pride took a lead role working with Rainbow Community Angels and Dean Arcuri to ensure the event went ahead. GV Pride then followed up with VicPol to gain a formal apology and continues to work on our relationship with Victoria Police and GSCC.
We were privileged this year to be finalists for the Greater Shepparton City Council Volunteer Awards with our Under The Big Top Pride Ball and to see Ruby Wyatt-Carter (she/they) receive the Young Volunteer of the year award. As an organisation we have received invitations to contribute to statewide discussion on strategy and community safety.
This year we have established a Pride Hub in Shepparton’s CBD, a safe space community can use flexibly, we have seen it transform into a meeting space, a training hub, book and clothing swap and just a space to hang out. With continued expansion of our NDIS service provision and merchandise sales we are in a strong financial position and have extended the lease on our hub space so looking at how best it can be used
My sincere thanks to every single member, volunteer, ally and band of amazing members of the Goulburn Valley Pride committee, particularly Georgina Poort (she/her), Vice President and Damien Stevens Todd (he/him) Secretary, The OUTintheOPEN Festival committee and Events sub-committee.
You are all amazing and make GV Pride and our community what it is today.
Thank you.
