In 2021, Pride Goldfields was a newly formed queer social group that decided to run Maryborough’s first Pride Festival.
Funded in part by the Central Goldfields Shire Council, the Victorian Government and local businesses, this ambitious community group succeeded in delivering this inaugural festival in 2024.
They credit this festival with helping to challenge the idea of whose voices get to be celebrated and placing social justice issues at the forefront of their community.
Outburst is now an annual event, bringing Pride to regional communities in Maryborough and surrounds. They also presented the first LGBTIQA+ float at the annual Highland Gathering Parade.
Last year, Pride Goldfields received additional funding through the Victorian Government’s LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants. The funding helped to formally establish them as a queer community group and develop business structures to support their work.
They were also able to invest in an awareness campaign to ensure they stayed visible. This includes promoting their support services and activities in medical centres, libraries, schools and community notice boards.
Pride Goldfields is a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ people, their families and friends and allies and supporters. They are dedicated to their wider community, supporting important dates like RUOK Day and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Adrian Masterman-Smith is the of Outburst Pride Festival organizer and advises other community groups to ‘dream big and bold’ when it comes to applying for government funding and grants.
He says it’s important to ‘gather like-minded people together and find your passion, then use the grants application process to clarify your thinking and be clear on how you will deliver on this passion.”
Learn more about the annual Outburst event and Pride Goldfields.
