The Gladstone Region’s LGBTQIA+ organisation, Rainbow on the Reef Ltd, had a big year in 2021, but watch this space, 2022 is shaping up to be even bigger and they’re just getting started.
Established officially in July 2021, the Gladstone region-based organisation is gearing up to make a big splash on the local event scene in June 2022 with the inaugural Rainbow on the Reef Pride Festival from 10 – 12 June 2022.
The exciting festival program has been co-designed using results and recommendations from the organisation’s community survey which was launched in May 2021. The event will be a celebration of PRIDE unlike anything seen before in the region.
Rainbow on the Reef Ltd President, Heather Richards, said the community survey had received over 200 responses from across Queensland. These results were collated and reviewed at an event planning session in October where the wider community was invited to participate.
“The survey reached a really diverse range of community members, and the responses have provided clear directions for our team to work with,” she said.
“The event planning is continuing with regular community meetings held where we collaborate to co-design and deliver each element of the festival. It really will be for our community, by our community!”
Heather said Rainbow on the Reef Ltd had also recently launched their first Sponsorship Prospectus that is available to organisations and businesses who wish to explore opportunities to support the Pride 2022 Festival.
“We have come together to help nurture a culture of PRIDE in identity and diversity for the Gladstone Region and beyond. We invite organisations and businesses that share these values to review our prospectus and explore opportunities to support the event through sponsorship to help bring our community’s vision to life,” said Heather.
The Rainbow on the Reef Ltd board also invites LGBTQIA+ community members, their friends, families, and allies to come along to their community meetings. The next community meeting will be on Tuesday 11 January 2021 from 5.30 pm at the Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct in Gladstone.
“We would love for some additional volunteers to come on board. There are opportunities to suit any level of commitment and skill set,” said Heather. “It is a great opportunity to be part of something BIG and meaningful for our community.”
“Save the date, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook. We have some big announcements coming up that we are very excited to share,” said Heather.
The three-day Rainbow on the Reef PRIDE Festival 2022 will launch on Friday 10 June, and promises to accelerate and celebrate PRIDE across the weekend. For more information on Rainbow on the Reef, visit: www.facebook.com for details.
Image: Rainbow on the Reef (supplied)