Every picture ever taken! There's 605 in total!

Some people have found it difficult viewing the images when they've gone to the other site. Other people have requested to see all the images taken in one post. This is why we're re-posting them at http://www.flickr.com/

Follow the links to go to each set. You're more than welcome to save to your computer the ones you appear in. To save the large version of the pic you want - click on the image and at the top you will see a button that says 'all sizes'. Click that and follow the prompts.

Rehearsal #1

Rehearsal #2

Media Rehearsal

Mardi Gras Fair Day

Mardi Gras Pre Parade Preparations

Mardi Gras Parade

Sneak preview - the DVD

Chadd has been hard at work editing an amazing DVD which will be premiered on Monday April 9 (Easter long weekend, start time approx 5pm) at a venue to be decided (probably Tamarama). Put this date in your diaries - this will also be our official wrap party. It will be BIG.

Thanks to Chadd for all his brazilliant work with pics and videos over the course of this project - check out his webspace.

Cover models!

Sydney Star Observer; photo of Shane Herbert by Erica Harrison.

Parade award nomination: Sexiest entry

Congratulations everyone!!

Our Surf Lifesaving float has been nominated for a parade entry award by New Mardi Gras.

The following email was received today from New Mardi Gras:

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Congratulations to you and all the entrants in putting on a spectacular Parade.
The feed back from the community not to mention the press, locally, nationally and internationally has been extremely positive. We are very much looking forward to starting our preparations for next year's 30th anniversary.

You may be aware that New Mardi Gras will host the 2007 Parade Awards on Sunday 15 April at ARQ.

It is my pleasure to inform you that your entry "Surf Life Saving Australia, Swim Between The Flags" has been nominated in the category of:

Sexiest Entry

Further details regarding the evening will be forwarded to you over the next few weeks, and general information will be posted to the Yahoo Entrants group.

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Mark it in your diaries....Lets all turn up en mass in ARQ on 15th April (with all our fingers crossed!) and make a fabulous night out of our nomination!

SMH - letters to the editor. Your thoughts please

Not between rainbow flags

Sydney surf lifesavers, you are Aussie icons and young people look up to you. However, by participating in the homosexual Mardi Gras, your role model has been shattered, devalued and demeaned. How sad.

Judith Bond Glen Alpine

(taken from letters to the editor, Sydney Morning Herald 7 March 2007)

Please leave your thoughts to Judith by clicking on the comments link below.

A very Brenton Mardi Gras

If we had to single out one person who's been getting way too much exposure on this blog - that person would have to be Brenton Parry. Not only is he a devoted Bronte Lifesaver of nine seasons, Brenton is also an international blog star with 5000 people visiting his site (Aussielicious) every day. We've posted so much of Brenton because his blog site has diverted so much traffic to our blog and major international attention to our cause. Thanks Brenton! Click on the YouTube below to see Brenton in action on Saturday night.

We are currently producing a major DVD extravaganza and will have a celebration screening with drinks etc in approx two weekends - venue to be decided.

85 x Parade photos - before the march

For more photos - click here.

If we told you Saturday was a busy day, that would be an understatement! Seven of us started early with a 10am press conference where 140 media from around the world were in attendance. We were special guests (more like room decorations) for the press conference. We handed out press kits and Chuppa Chupps on arrival and stood guard around the stage during the formalities.

For many of us the rest of the day was taken up with last minute float fixing, sound generator management, beach ball fixing, spray tans, hair cuts - you name it! Once everyone met at 5pm - the nerves quickly set in.

Please remember to send all your photos to drewlambert@ozemail.com.au and these will be added to the collection for you to view and copy as you please.

Mardi Gras Messages - leave your thoughts here.

The lifesavers were a definite stand out in this year's Mardi Gras Parade. If you participated or were on the sidelines cheering - what was the one Mardi gras moment you will remeber forever. Leave your thoughts by clicking the 'comments' section below. To read all the comments, click on the date stamp below.

FROM SLSA

On behalf of SLSA I would like to thank everyone for the joyous and respectful way in which you helped celebrated our ‘pride’ in Saturday’s parade.

The reaction from spectators, friends and colleagues with regards to our float was amazing, and thanks to everyone, surf lifesaving is now perceived by many as being a modern, progressive, diverse and tolerant organisation.

Angela, thank you especially for the way in which you pulled together the routine and float and the continual respect and admiration you showed for surf lifesaving, whilst at the same time keeping that delicate balance between showmanship, cheekiness, fun and respect. I know it would have been very hard balance to achieve but you did it so well.

Our National Director of Lifesaving was there before the parade soaking it all in whilst watching our preparations. He admired the spirit and pride that was evident as we waited so excitedly for our “moment in the sun”.

Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of history last Saturday night. The surf lifesaving movement in Australia shone as we celebrated our way up Oxford Street, and in turn so did each and everyone one of us, leaving a lasting legacy for the next 100 years and beyond.

Marketing & Corporate Relations Manager

Surf Life Saving Australia

Saturday - everything you need to know

What you’ll need to do and bring:

1. Make sure you have a good sleep the night before the parade;


2. As there is limited space on the truck to store personal belongings, consider dropping a vehicle off at Fox Studios/The Entertainment Quarter car park with all the things you’ll need at the other end (e.g. your party clothes);


3. If you do need to bring belongings, please no large backpacks. We’d prefer it, for ease of storage, that you bring only what you need, put it in a plastic bag that can be tied and clearly label it with your name and phone number on it. We’ll place these in tubs to be put on the truck so that they are available at the end;


4. Please pack any medication you might require on the night, e.g. Ventolin etc.


5. On the day, make sure you have a hearty meal before coming into town, preferably a pasta meal, full of carbs to keep you going through the parade. Try and do this as the last thing you do before heading out the door;


6. Please bring water to hydrate yourself from the time we’re locked-down (6pm) and the time we start marching.


7. Please bring a small sandwich and snacks for yourselves, muesli bars, dried fruit etc. to eat before we start marching.


8. We are in E block (E10) in the parade.


9. Especially for people close to the lead truck and the sound system, you should consider bringing earplugs so that your hearing is not adversely affected;


10. Please refrain from being under the influence of alcohol and drugs until after the parade – that’s what the after party is for;


11. Remember to get tickets for the party, available through Ticketek http://www.ticketek.com.au/. If you’re not planning on going, please rethink! You will be pumped after the parade and all your newly made friends will be going along as well. It is a blast!


12. Convene between 4:45 – 5:00pm at Harmony Park - neext door to Surry Hills Police Station; between Goulburn, Brisbane and Hunt Streets Surry Hills. Or click here Harmony Park website

The media rehearsal - now with film crew!

Thanks to Channel 9 and Associated Press who dropped by to see us in action. Thanks to the council ranger for not kicking us out! And a big warm welcome to our interstate friends fromWA and Qld - we are now one complete happy family!

For more photos - click here.