Meeniyan Marty Gras paints South Gippsland in ‘Rainbow Country’ colours

SOUTH GIPPSLAND has once again delivered a night of fabulous fun, drag and rainbow themed activity for the colourful and increasingly popular Meeniyan Marty Gras.

The annual extravaganza brought the local community together to transform the town into a dazzling playground as part of this year's theme, ‘Rainbow Country’.

The festivities kicked off on Thursday night with Drag Bingo at The Meeniyan Hotel hosted by Magnolia Starr, followed by a packed house for Drag Trivia on Friday.

The main event was on Saturday night at the Meeniyan Town Hall with local families and residents lining the streets to get a glimpse of the colourful parade of costumes before a ferocious hailstorm swept through the town just as things were about to get started.

The Meeniyan Town Hall was darkened for a short time at the height of the storm, but the colourful high-energy band Movers and Shakers soon got the party jumping by playing live rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, soul and funk until the power was restored.

Trading standard country attire for rainbow cowboy hats and fabulous flannel the crowd was bedazzled by spectacular performances from gorgeous Melbourne drag queens Aubrey Haive and Gloss alongside local drag king Justine Camilleri.

"I am currently here in Meeniyan and I feel phenomenal," said Gloss, who performs regularly at Pride of Footscray. "Physically, I’m a little uncomfortable but actually emotionally, I feel great,” said Gloss.

“This is my second year in a row being here, so thank you for having me again."

Gloss emphasised the profound impact of bringing pride events to the country.

"I think it is so important to have something like Mardi Gras here in regional Victoria because you get to see many different people of different lived experiences, different gender spectrums, and of course, sexuality."

The origin of the event goes back to a joint 50th birthday celebration in 2018 for Marty Thomas and Kym Lewis, which had a playful Marty Gras theme.

"Locals loved it so much that we wanted to do it again and Meeniyan Marty Gras was born," explained Marty Gras committee member Tisheena Cartwright.

Aside from one cancellation during the 2020 COVID pandemic the festival has run every year since 2019 proudly supported by the Lyrebird Arts Council and local businesses.

Beyond the dancing and outrageous costumes, the event raises vital funds for two special causes Opportunities of Development thru Art (ODA) in Cambodia and the Gippsland Pride Initiative Inc. which according to the committee are both charities close to Marty Thomas’ heart.

According to the committee it’s about more than fundraising, with Ms Cartwright emphasising the festival’s broader cultural impact. "It’s important for the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in rural areas, especially for young people to know there are safe places. It’s about visibility, advocacy and acceptance."

Gippsland Pride Initiative Community and Projects Manager Sophie Green praised the committee's amazing work noting that Meeniyan Marty Gras had donated $2,000 to support regional events.

"It allows us to host afternoon teas to help reduce isolation for the over 50 LGBTQ+ community," Green said. Ms Green highlighted the critical nature of the event.

"It is so easily forgotten that there are LGBTQ+ people in Gippsland. It celebrates rural pride which is often not recognised as much."

This year’s main event attracted close to 180 guests with next year expected to be even bigger and bolder. The closing event of the Meeniyan Marty Gras weekend was a well-attended Drag me to the Dog Show parade undercover at Trulli Outdoors.