Mardi Gras : News - Mardi Gras Honours Its Volunteers

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Mardi Gras 2012
- Parade
  
  Parade
  
  The world's most colourful demonstration of LGBTQI pride.
- Glamstand
  
  Glamstand
  
  The Most Fabulous Way to Experience Parade.
- Kylie at Mardi Gras 2012
  
  Kylie is coming to Mardi Gras!
  
  We are excited to welcome back Kylie to Sydney Mardi Gras!
- Parade Viewing Area
  
  Parade Viewing Area
  
  This super-sized take on the traditional Parade viewing area is a tropical party oasis and the coolest way to take in all the spectacle, glitz and glamour of Sydney Mardi Gras Parade 2012.
- Mardi Gras TV
  
  Mardi Gras TV
  
  Tune in and watch Parade 2012 highlights and other exclusive behind-the-scenes footage at Mardi Gras TV!
- Party
  
  Party
  
  The official post-Parade dance party. This year's Mardi Gras Party 'Mardigrasland' will be a queer theme park featuring RuPaul, D.E. Experience, Sneaky Sound System, Chicane and more!
  
  The Mardi Gras Party is now sold out.
- Harbour '12 CoolChange
  
  Harbour '12 CoolChange
  
  Catch a spectacular summer sunset from our Harbour-side dancefloor at Harbour '12 CoolChange. Enjoy cocktails and dancing as you look out over Sydney's most beautiful icons!
  
  Click here for tickets!
- Events
  
  Festival
  
  This year’s Mardi Gras Festival boasts over 60 special events, and includes performances from big international acts as well as the cream of Australian queer talent.
- Tickets
  
  Tickets
  
  Want to purchase your tickets online or in person? Find out more here!
- Festival Guide
  
  Festival Guide
  
  Download the Sydney Mardi Gras 2012 Festival Guide now!
- Calendar
  
  Calendar
  
  Click to view the Sydney Mardi Gras 2012 festival planner!
- Community
  
  Community
  
  Socialise, be informed or just get together at our community events this season!
- Festival Bar
- Visual Arts
  
  Visual Arts
  
  The visual Arts program offers a unique window into our communities.
Mardi Gras 2012
Mardi Gras TV
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Volunteer
- What's Available
  
  What's Available
  
  Get an idea how we are set up and how you could be involved.
- Event Day Opportunities
  
  Event Day Opportunities
  
  Get involved helping out with one of our events!
- Ongoing Opportunities
  
  Ongoing Opportunities
  
  Check out some of the areas we're looking for skilled people to join us.
- Frequently Asked Questions
  
  Frequently Asked Questions
  
  Here's the answers to some FAQs about volunteering!
- Volunteer Policies
  
  Volunteer Policies
  
  This section includes all the policies that might impact on your time as a volunteer with us.
- Street Team - Youth
  
  Street Team - Youth
  
  Be part of a new and exciting team that will be interacting and engaging young people throughout the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival!
Volunteers
Members
- Become a Member
  
  Become a member today
  
  There's no time like the present. Becoming a New Mardi GrasLtd (trading as Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras) member is just a click or two away.
- Member Benefits
  
  Member Benefits
  
  Interested in becoming a member? Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras members get a huge range of benefits!
- Membership Renewal
  
  Membership Renewal
  
  Click here to renew your membership of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
- Viewing Area
  
  Members Viewing Area
  
  One of the biggest perks of being a member is getting privileged first access to view the Parade.
Partners
- Media Partners
  
  Media Partners
  
  Reach the LGBTQI audience through our media partners
Partners
Travel
- Tour Operator Packages
  
  Tour Operator Packages
  
  Let our tour operator packages take the fuss out of organising your Sydney Mardi Gras 2012 experience.
- Vibe
  
  Vibe
  
  Want a comfortable stay, close to the Mardi Gras action? Vibe Hotels are the answer.
- The Star
  
  The Star
  
  Stay at Sydney's newest entertainment venue this Mardi Gras.
Travel

Find out information about travel to and from Sydney Mardi Gras.
About Us
- Our Mission
  
  Our Mission
  
  Find out what we at Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras are here to do.
- New Vision
  
  New Vision
- Board Committees
  
  Board Committees
  
  Are you interested in joining a Mardi Gras Board Committee? Find out more here!
- Donate
  
  Donate
  
  Your chance to contribute directly to the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade in 2012!
- History
  
  History
  
  Want to know about the history of our event and organisation. Find out here!
- Our Annual Report
  
  Annual Report
  
  Find out what we have been up to and what are plans for the future are.
- News
- The Board
  
  The Board
  
  Meet the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Board Members.
- Media Enquiries
  
  Media Enquiries
  
  For access to our media liaison team this is the place.
- Contact Us
  
  Contact Us
  
  For whatever reason please do get in touch.
- Staff
  
  Staff
  
  Meet the staff who put on the Sydney Mardi Gras.
About Us
Merchandise

Mardi Gras Honours Its Volunteers

At its Volunteer Thank You function on the 1st of April, New Mardi Gras (NMG) announced the winners of its Volunteer Awards as well as setting out the crucial role of volunteers as the “backbone” of the organisation.

Over 1,200 people volunteered for this year’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in a wide variety of specialist and generalist roles. All leadership roles were opened up to merit-based recruitment process.

The winner of Volunteer of the Year, awarded to the volunteer who displayed the most outstanding level of effort, achievement and dedication to the organisation over the season, was Joel McKinnon.

Other award winners included: Johnny Knights (The Spirit of Mardi Gras), Blake Weti (Leader of Innovation), Trent Bourne (Outstanding Team Player), Andrew Berrie (Excellence in Service), Scott Fabricant (Say Something Award), Pen Walker (Volunteer in a Leadership Role), Darren Bruce (Volunteer in a Support Working Group), Dave Stevenson (Volunteer in an Event Working Group), Georg Tamm (Rookie of the Year) and Parade Area 5’s Andy Endycott, Peter Springolo and Choon Tan (Leadership Team).

“Volunteerism has been and always will be the backbone of our organisation,” said Rolik. “One of the key goals we have is to professionalise in key roles to provide continuity and ensure we have experienced, accountable staff in place. However, volunteers will always be key in shaping our events and making them happen.”

“With a small army of volunteers we have to work very hard to ensure that everyone feels rewarded by their experience. We need to get people engaged and to keep them keen.”

“This year great strides were made in putting in place systems such as our Volunteer ID card, best practice volunteering guidelines and in running a fair and open recruitment process based on merit.”

“Joel is a very worthy winner. He really lived by the values New Mardi Gras is committed to - respect, integrity, creativity, responsibility and equity – as well as always being there, even at events he wasn’t working at, helping as the face of volunteers and the face of Mardi Gras.”

For more information: please contact damien.eames@mardigras.org.au or call 9383 0944.