PrideFest, a glittering success

The first Moreton Bay PrideFest has been hailed a glittering success, attracting a crowd of about 3500, promoting more than 20 LGBTIQA+ charities and support services, and raising $20,000 for charity partner headspace Moreton Bay.

Best of all, the event at Pine Rivers Park on Saturday, June 10, was a roaring good time.

See the photo gallery at the end of this story

Feedback from festivalgoers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many saying it was the best Pride event they had attended – particularly in Queensland.

Others just enjoyed the fun, inclusive and supportive atmosphere, and the entertainment line-up which included Courtney Act, Thelma Plum, Havana Brown, and Sneaky Sound System.

Moreton Bay PrideFest was organised by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) on behalf of Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Mayor Peter Flannery thanked the big crowd for making the inaugural event such a success.

“Honestly the crowds, the line-up, the weather, the outfits, the overwhelming sense of celebration, everything, surpassed all my expectations,” Mayor Flannery said.

“I don’t think anywhere else in South East Queensland has ever managed to get Courtney Act, Thelma Plum, Havana Brown, and Sneaky Sound System on one stage - especially for an entry price of just $70.

“We want everyone to know Moreton Bay is a vibrant and inclusive community where we embrace all ages, faiths, sexuality, abilities, and ethnicities.

“I’m really impressed MBRIT has managed to get some of Australia’s biggest LGBTIQA+ celebrities here to Moreton Bay to celebrate Pride Month with us. I don’t know how they’re going to top it next year.

Mayor Flannery said council was committed to meeting modern expectations and putting the region on the map as a powerhouse in South East Queensland.

“It was my pleasure to present Headspace with a $20,000 cheque as our 2023 charity partner, because one-in-three young people in Moreton Bay accessing their services comes from within the LGBTIQ+ community,” he said.

“Council is proud to be playing a proactive and positive part of changing that statistic, because as much as Australia has evolved in recent years there is still a way to go.”

Lasting impact

Headspace Operations Manager Nick Martin said the event provided “an amazing space for all people to gather and enjoy a fantastic day and night celebrating PRIDE, LGBTIQA+ people across our wider communities.

“It truly was a phenomenal festival, and we are so excited to have been the inaugural Charity Partner. As a local youth mental health service, we know the importance of an event like this in Moreton Bay, with over 40 per cent of the young people we see identifying and we could not be prouder to support and be supported by this event and the people of Moreton Bay.

“We are committed to improving the lives and supporting young people who identify and what better way than with a festival! These funds are vital to our services and will go directly into the local community supporting programs, training and development and other initiatives to support young people in the Moreton Bay Region.”

The organisers thanked the following sponsors whose support made the event possible:

o Presenting Partner – Moreton Bay Regional Council

o Diamond Partner – Tafe Queensland

o Glitter Sponsors – Ray White Aspley Group, UniSC, Brisbane Mini Garage and Visit Moreton Bay Region

o Media Partners – Bishopp, B105 and QNews

o Rainbow Sponsors – Queensland Fertility Group, Uniting Care, Scooter Society, Rainbow Care, atm2go and Hunter Promotional Products & Uniforms

Feedback about the event is welcomed + suggestions for 2024. Complete the event survey via the website