Meet Joel McKinnon

Joel McKinnonBack in high school, a group of Joel’s friends volunteered at Parade one year and they convinced Joel to join them next time… and the rest is history.

Joel has been volunteering with Mardi Gras for 7 years and is currently the Assistant Audience Manager for Parade.

“I’m looking after the Parade route, from the beginning of Oxford St, all down Flinders St and then finally the bus lanes at Moore Park where the BGF Glamstand will be.”

Joel’s also volunteering for a heap of other events and will also be facilitating some of our brand new Volunteer Orientation sessions for all new volunteers.

“I think I’m going to need a holiday once the Mardi Gras season is over!”

Joel says it’s the experience and the rush of being a Mardi Gras volunteer that keeps him coming back with each year being a new challenge and a whole new focus.

“I volunteer mainly for Parade, but for the 2011 season I have already signed myself up for nearly every event, because I really want to meet more people and see how each event is run.”

Joel’s most memorable moments were in 2008, when Mardi Gras celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“Seeing the 78ers leading the Parade and dancing with Pam Ann in Taylor Square with thousands of people cheering on were the best parts of that year.”

Joel has been able to develop skills and grow as a person by volunteering. Joel has had the opportunity to lead teams of volunteers and influence how Parade interacts with the crowd, or as it’s technically named, the audience.

“I’ve made amazing friendships through Mardi Gras. Out of that I’ve had relationships, found flatmates, different working opportunities, and a fantastic group of friends.”

Joel says that he was surprised by how much he had in common with other people who volunteer for Mardi Gras.

“Mardi Gras is seriously about the people and the community—it doesn’t matter where I am, I bump into someone I know all the time.”

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