|
 Securing government funding, enhancing financial security, protecting intellectual property, fostering creativity, and engaging with the community were among the top issues on the agenda when New Mardi Gras held its annual general meeting (AGM) last night.
The AGM was initially scheduled for Saturday, August 23, but did not go ahead due to lack of quorum. The rescheduled meeting also failed to reach quorum, with approximately 30 members in attendance instead of the required 50. However, under the Mardi Gras constitution, the rescheduled AGM could proceed with the agreement of at least three attending members.
Last night’s meeting, held at New Mardi Gras (NMG) headquarters in Petersham, and chaired by Rob Beetson, was notable for the strongest indication yet that state government funding for the event would soon be secured.
Delivering the Director’s Report, NMG Chair David Imrie (pictured) said: “We are in very productive talks with Events NSW about funding, which are at a very positive stage.”
“An announcement about the outcome of those talks can be expected soon.”
Imrie said that Mardi Gras membership had grown 115 per cent over the past year, with 390 per cent membership growth in the youth sector. Delivering the Treasurer’s Report in the absence of Treasurer Willie Law, who was ill, Imrie noted that NMG’s 2008 profit was the highest on record. However with net profit representing less than 10 per cent of operating costs, “the risk profile our income is still too high,” he said.
The NMG Annual Report, delivered at the meeting, revealed that overall revenue from the 2008 season was $4,882,169 with profits of $483,695.
Imrie flagged government funding and further membership growth, through an expansion of member’s only ‘special events’ during the calendar year and festival, as ways of increasing finances. He also cited careful planning, better risk management and diligent cost cutting as ways to secure the organisation’s financial future.
“In order to be part of this community, in order to continue the work that we are doing, we have to ensure the financial security of this organisation,” Imrie said. “Financial security and growth is of the utmost importance.”
And while robust sponsorship was one of this year’s highlights for NMG, it also represents one of the organisation’s biggest challenges.
“While our brand is growing and our events are getting better, the fact of the matter is we are operating in an increasingly competitive market,” Imrie said.
Creativity was also high on the agenda, with Imrie declaring creative growth “enormously important for an event significant to [the GLBT communities of] Sydney, NSW, Australia and the planet.”
“A truly world-class Parade and Festival in 2009 and going forward,” would be achieved, he said.
The meeting heard that a continuation of Mardi Gras as a semi-curated event – as opposed to the ‘umbrella festival’ of recent years – would be integral to a vital creative scene and its success.
Intellectual property protection would also bolster the event’s creative base, with NMG currently meeting with lawyers to seek ways of safeguarding the creative endeavours of all involved in the parade, party and festival.
The meeting wound up with the appointment of the new board, a Motion of Thanks passed to the outgoing board, before a discussion of general business.
Former NMG Chair Marcus Bouget was singled out for special praise by several members, with Imrie noting that Bourget had “helped Mardi Gras get its mojo back.”
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed