The 2018 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Awards recognise excellence across our spectacular 40th anniversary season of events, honouring those individuals and groups among us who go above and beyond to make the festival extra special.
Mardi Gras is a community organisation made possible by and for the community. Thank you to all the people that put on the Festival behind the scenes – volunteers, staff, contractors, suppliers – each doing their essential part to help make Mardi Gras magic.
There are four award categories – Fair Day, Parade, Our People/Workforce, and the Lifetime Achievement Award – but everyone involved with Mardi Gras 2018 is a winner and we’re so grateful for the expertise, effort and passion you all put in.
This year’s Mardi Gras Award winners are listed below. Congratulations to all of you.
FAIR DAY AWARDS
Best Food Stall Food: KAPAMILYA EATERY
Best Standard Stall: BOURKE STREET WAX
Best Sport Stall: SYDNEY WOMENS BASEBALL LEAGUE
Best Community Stall: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA
Special Commendations: GLITORIS, RELATIONSHIPS AUSTRALIA, and SYDNEY ROLLER DERBY LEAGUE INCORPORATED
Fair Day Stall of the Year: SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT INCORPORATING BREASTSCREEN
PARADE AWARDS
Best Choreography NOMINEES: DR MARKS MARCHING ACADEMY SYDNEY MARCHING FLAGGS
WINNER: SYDNEY QUEER IRISH
Ron Muncaster Award for Best Costume NOMINEES: ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTIEE, THE TROPICAL FRUITS INC
WINNER: 40 YEARS OF COLOUR
Best Float Design NOMINEES: POOF DOOF, BROKEN HEEL FESTIVAL
WINNER: FREE GAY AND HAPPY
Special Commendations:
AUSTRALIANS FOR EQUALITY
AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA
TRANS SYDNEY PRIDE
QUEER PLANETEERS
BENTSTIX HOCKEY CLUB
BROKEN HEEL FESTIVAL
The Ron Austin Award for Fabulous Parade Entry NOMINEES: THE INCREDIGAYS, DIY RAINBOW
WINNER: SM&M THE OTHER 39ERS
BEST SHOP WINDOW
A new award for outstanding storefront windows on Oxford Street or King Street during Mardi Gras 2018.
WINNER: DALY MALE
WORKFORCE AWARDS
Award for Excellence in Innovation
This award goes to the person whose innovative thinking solved problems and provided new ways of working that contributed to the overall success of an event. This year’s Award for Excellence in Innovation goes to Paul Truscott.
Award for Excellence in Leadership
This award goes to the person whose behavior, attitude and performance demonstrated the qualities of teamwork, initiative and professionalism. This year’s Award for Excellence in Leadership goes to Rocky Talatonu.
Award for Excellence in Service
This award goes to the person whose work throughout the season was diligent, reliable and selfless – someone that has gone above and beyond. This year’s Award for Excellence in Service goes to Rachel Smith.
Award for Excellence in Teamwork
This award goes to the person who displayed a high level of cooperation, collaboration and team spirit in order to achieve excellent outcomes for everyone. This year’s Award for Excellence in Teamwork goes to Felix Wark.
ICARE award
This award goes to the person whose conduct and attitude embody the organisation values of integrity, creativity, accountability, respect and equity. This year’s ICARE award goes to Hayley Wyndham.
Volunteer of the Year
This award is given to the most outstanding volunteer of the season. The recipient/s of this award have shown leadership, teamwork, innovation, service and embodies every one of the organisations values. Recipients: Shane Farr & Gus Little.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The SGLMG Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual or individuals who have provided outstanding service over many years to SGLMG and the community. They may have served on a Board, volunteered or worked for or have been engaged by Mardi Gras and provided consistent service and made a significant contribution over many years. They are always ready and willing to support the organisation and have demonstrated our values, leadership and have been a role model and fine example to others.
This year we honour one recipient who is truely worthy of this recognition and Award, for his decades of committed service at Mardi Gras events.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for 2018 is awarded to: LEONARD WATSON
See our photo gallery from the 2018 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Awards here and see Ann-Marie Calilhanna’s photo gallery on the Star Observer website here.