2018 LWP REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN

Well the weather is warming up and the beaches are filling up, which means one thing.  Mardi Gras is around the corner.  The Committee have been busy putting together a fabulous entry this year, and we need you to help us make it all come together.

Once again, we are looking forward to showing off to the broader community that lifesaving is progressive, inclusive and welcoming to people of all sexualities, and what better way to do that than by marching in the 40th anniversary of the worlds largest Gay and Lesbian celebration.

Registrations are now open to march in the 2018 parade.  You must be;
1, a current or former lifesaver,
2, available on Saturday 03 March 2018 from 4pm, and
3, available for at least four of the five rehearsals as identified in the registration pages.

As the parade is the big 40, there is a lot of interest, and we have been instructed already that our float is being cut to only 80 members.  We expect these to fill up very fast, based on the queries we've had in the last few weeks, so get in quickly.  We are looking for 60 marchers, each of which will be carrying a prop again, and 20 supporters (only need to meet criteria 2 above) .

You know it's going to be fun don't you, so get in and register fast.  And spread the word to your lifesaving mates who may not have joined us in the past.

Here's our video from last year showing what we got up to, which includes the SBS clip, our rehearsals, and all the fun of the parade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLhiJqst7Ug

And here's the rego page.

https://fs25.formsite.com/LWP2018/Rego/index.html

Password is: LWP2018

Now get to the gym, work on the tan and leave the carbs behind, you have a real incentive now!!!

Can't wait to see you there.  Fun times guaranteed!

Gary and the Committee

Welcome to the 2018 season

Hey all,

The lifesaving season has begun and we are back on the beach saving lives and spreading the word of Surf Life Saving being progressive and welcoming.

The LWP committee is already on the case and looking forward to Mardi Gras' big 40th anniversary.  Just a heads up that the parade this year is going to be on Sat 03 March 2018.  Anyone interested in joining us must be free on this day, and for the rehearsals beforehand which we'll announce soon.  Also worth noting is that MG have identified that all floats are to be capped at 80 entrants, rather than the normal 100, so when we release our registration page you'll want to be quick off the mark to get your spots.

So spread the word about LWP and enjoy the season.  We are looking at involving supportive families in our float this year, which means kids and nippers, so consider if you want your little ones with us this time around.

OK, happy beach days and see you as the season progresses.

Gary and the Committee.

2017 LWP VIDEO NIGHT

As the end of the patrolling season approaches, and before we tuck ourselves into bed for the winter, we need to have our end of season gathering.  So lets all gather together on Thursday 13 April from 7.30pm at Palms on Oxford Street.  This is the evening before Good Friday, so start your extra long weekend, even earlier with us, where we have the venue exclusively until it opens to the public at 9pm.

We'll watch our videos together, plus have a drink, catch up with friends, and thank the committee for their great efforts at averting swimwear/generator disasters.  Not only are we looking forward to seeing both marchers and volunteers from this year, but LWP Alumni are welcome, as are your partners, family and friends.  It'll be great to see everyone again, and maybe carry on into the night, with a guaranteed sleep in the next day.

Gary, David and the Committee

THANKS TO OUR 2017 SPONSORS

Before we all hide for the winter, just a word of thanks to our sponsors this year.

Firstly to Rival who came in at very short notice and provided 100 pairs of great swimwear.  Many thanks to you for your efforts.  We can't speak highly enough of them and encourage everyone to spread the word about Rival and Running Bare.

And secondly, to Google and Mardi Gras who provided grant sponsorship, which allowed us to get the great lights and sound installation for the truck.  With better weather next year, we'll remove the tarp and see what they can really do.  We are a really proud recipient of their Community Parade Grants and would encourage anyone involved in other organisations to pursue these next year as well.

And thanks also need to go to Coates who put in an amazing effort when their product malfunctioned, giving us all grief for a few tight hours.  They provided a service on site, brought out another generator for us to use, and then provided the entire supply for free for the stress and inconvenience, so thanks aplenty to Emmanuel and the team at Alexandria.

Thanks all and keep an eye out for the upcoming video night, when we can all get together again and have a drink to celebrate the end of the season.

Regards
Gary, Mike, Grant, Wayne and the committee

PARADE VIDEO #2

Madi our fantastic videographer for this year, has worked double time since our big night to put together a great piece.  It shows not only us having a great time preparing, marshaling and marching but also us representing lifesaving as an inclusive and progressive organisation.

Watch and enjoy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t0uc393eeuw626z/LWP%202017-1.mov?dl=0

Gary, Madi and the Committee

2017 PARADE VIDEO

Hey all,

SBS have released the footage that we recorded in January.  The package was put together and broadcast as part of the Mardi Gras parade, timed to align with our pasasge through Taylor Square.

Watch, enjoy and circulate with your networks.  Be sure to forward it to your own Surf Club and Patrol, and get them to join the blog and the facebook group.

https://vimeo.com/208231853

Gary and the Committee

2017 PARADE PHOTOS

Hey all,

For those who aren't on the facebook group, and who are luddites with the internet and search engines, here are a selection of photos from Saturday night during the parade.

Thanks a heap to our Photographers Justin and Frances, and to our Videographers Madi and Nikki.  Keep an eye out for our post parade gathering and video night, hopefully in April.

Browse and enjoy.

Gary and the Committee

THANK YOU ALL

How much fun was that?

A big thank you to everyone who came in the parade on Saturday.  We had such a magnificent time, and everyone should take pride in the result that we all achieved together.

We faced countless battles to get there this year, from our swimwear provider pulling out, to our generator blowing up at the start, our videographer pulling out with a week to go, the weather threatening to storm all week, to even our post parade pub being closed, but we still got there and produced the most wonderful and welcoming production.  Without you, the participants this would just be ten committee member walking up the road and waving, and looking very dour at that.

Specifically I want to thank

• Nick, as secretary and manager of the email and blog (this site)
• Grant as treasurer for continually saying no to my ideas of hiring the Westpac rescue chopper for the night
• Mick for managing the swimwear, when everyone decides they've changed sizes
• Mike for arranging Fair Day and driving the van
• Karen for her social media prowess
• David for chasing up admin stuff that no one sees, but is invaluable
• Orlando for doing the online registrations, from Melbourne (but welcome back to Sydney soon)
• Andrew for arranging the music, providing the whistles and being a great sounding board
• Bastien for managing the media rehearsal which, regardless of the media attendance, is a big project
• and the biggest thanks to Wayne for logistics on the day who dealt with our generator crisis.

Take a big breath you guys, you are what makes the parade.  And anyone who wants to come along once a month from Sept for a drink and a laugh, just contact any of the committee.  We'd love to have you join our team.  My ideas are getting stale (except the helicopter - Grant!) so come and let us know your thoughts.

If you didn't see the SBS piece that we filmed on the beach, it is excellent (except for my inclusion which should have been edited out for reasons of taste and dignity).

Check out the 15 shots here from the Gay News Network, although the facebook group has a gazillion others.

http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/out-about/event/040217-mardi-gras-parade-gallery-3.photos-cec-busby.html#68

Keep an eye out now for our post parade bash, usually in mid April, when we should have the video ready to go.

So relax now, scrub off the glitter, enjoy the memories, spread the word about lifesaving, and keep promoting lifesaving as a progressive, inclusive and welcoming organisation.  Enjoy the rest of the season down at the beach, and please tell everyone about LWP.  The more the merrier. 

Gary and the Committee

RECOGNITION OF SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONS IN THE LGBTIQ COMMUNITY

With all the excitement about the LWP entry in this weekend's Mardi Gras, let's not forget how far Surf Life Saving has come in the last ten years.  In order to get permission for the first float, the original committee had to battle some serious unrecognised prejudice within the organisation, and at the club level.  It is only through our collective strength that lifesaving is now a progressive, inclusive and welcoming organisation for our LGBTIQ brethren nationally, and we are fighting the battles one club at a time.

The LWP committee would like to draw our member's attention to the Pride in Sport awards, which "recognise the critical role that our role models play in sending a message of inclusion within sport".  These are national awards and allow for nominations for a range of people.  We draw your attention particularly to two awards, the Ally Award, for someone who is straight, but is a champion for the LGBTIQ community, and the Role Model Award, for someone who is out within their sport, and championing for inclusion within their field.  We would love to see someone from within lifesaving nominated to demonstrate our ongoing endeavours.

Anyone can nominate someone, and we encourage you to each consider someone, both past or present who would be a suitable recipient, and who represents in lifesaving the types of role models that we all aspire to.

The link below has the nomination forms, which are due for submission by 24 March.  Feel free to contact the committee for any assistance with your nomination.

http://www.prideindiversity.com.au/PSI/

Whether you are marching with LWP or have other plans, have a safe and happy Mardi Gras, and keep spreading the word about lifesaving as inclusive and welcoming.

Gary and the Committee

SATURDAY IS THE DAY

We've had our beach rehearsal, and the locals loved it.  Now get ready for the final event.

Everyone, marchers and supporters need to meet this Saturday at Moore Park in front of the Sydney Football Stadium at 4pm.  Here we will do a final rehearsal session with everyone, including our interstate friends.  Supporters will also go over their roles.  From here we will issue our wristbands and move together through the streets to Hyde Park for marshaling.  MG will not let you into marshaling without a wristband so you must be at Moore Park.

If you miss the van, it will be your responsibility to manage your gear.  There is NO storage space on the truck for it.

At Moore Park we will get changed into our parade gear, and store all our bags and equipment in a van.  This van will then head off to park, and we will not see it again until we finish the parade, when we will then retrieve our stiff.

Be sure you have your white shoes, Rival swimwear and lifesaver cap, plus volunteers, should have their uniform.

Let's just pray the rain holds out.  We'll have ponchos if required.

After the parade, we'll head to the Olympic Sports Hotel, only a few 100 meters from the van's final location, for a drink or two to relax and unwind.

And a big, huge thank you to the committee who have worked for months to pull this event together.  Anyone wanting to join the committee for next year should drop me a line.

See you there for a great day.

Gary and the committee

PARADE PREPARATION

It's getting close now, and we are all very excited.

Everyone coming on parade day will need to bring their own white shoes.  They can not have other colours on them, as we want all attention on our fantastic dance moves that we have been practising.  This applies to both our marchers, and our supporters.

Anyone not wearing swimwear, will need to wear a lifesaving uniform.  First option is to wear your own, second option is to borrow one from a friend, and finally we will have a few spare the supply.  If you have your own pair of red shorts (not necessarily lifesaver pants) they will be good enough.

And of course bring your red Rival swimwear and your lifesaving cap.

Also bring as little else as possible.  Aim for only bringing the top and pants you'll take off.  We have a stash of ponchos in case they are needed, but hopefully the weather gods are looking kindly on us.  Your gear will go into a van at the rehearsal in the afternoon, and you won't see it again until after the parade.  There will be food and drink for sale in Hyde Park, and we will have water available on the truck.

It's all getting close now!

Gary and the committee.

LWP MEDIA REHEARSAL

As usual, we have invited the media along on Wednesday night to film us rehearsing on the beach.  They are always super keen to film us marching in the setting sun, so we would like for all marchers to arrive from 6.30pm, to allow time to change into your swimwear, inflate your beach balls, and be out and on the sand by 7.00pm.  We'll gather first upstairs in the pavilion, in the little area in front of our rehearsal room, beside the bar.  Someone will stay back and mind the bags while we are on the beach.

Regardless of the amount of media turning up, marching on the beach is a great opportunity for us to polish our routine, get used to formation, and travel further than the room allows.

Note that if the weather is inclement, we'll likely just remain in the room.  If you haven't collected your swimmers on the Monday, they will be available beforehand.

Also, anyone volunteering on the parade as a supporter is welcome to come along on Wednesday, and get an understanding of your involvement for Saturday as well.

Gary, Bastien and the Committee

LWP CALL OUT FOR VIDEOGRAPHER

Hey,

Unfortunately Mike our ever faithful (until now) videographer, for the past six or seven years, has just found out that he will be out of the country late next week with his work (I usually just get sent to Blacktown with my work!) and will miss the media rehearsal and the parade.

So, if you are, or know of, a budding videographer, and are keen to come along to our media night and the parade, please get in touch with the committee as soon as you can.  We'd love to have you aboard.

We love the memories from the video, and the post parade viewing night is always a lot of fun.

Looking forward to hearing from our enthusiastic film buffs soon.

Gary and the Committee
0404053304

LWP FAIR DAY STALL SUN 19 FEB

Hey,

Don't forget that the Mardi Gras festival kicks off with Fair Day this coming Sunday 19 February.  This year Fair Day is being held in Camperdown Park in Newtown from 10am.  Lifesavers with Pride will have a stall again, this year being in the Sports Village with the other Team Sydney members.  Again, our main goal is to spread the word about lifesaving within the LGBTQ community, and encourage existing lifesavers to join LWP.

It would be great if we could get a turn out of lifesavers for the day.  We'll need people for about one or two hours each.  Bring your mates and kick back. Bring your uniform, and even better, bring your swimmers, which always brings the crowds.  And if you are just passing through, we'll have some spare uniforms to throw on.

Let us know if you can help out for an hour or so, so we can put a roster together.

Check out the MG website for more details
http://www.mardigras.org.au/fairday/

Gary, Mike and the LWP Committee

LWP 2017 PARADE REHEARSALS START THIS WEEK

Hey all, don't forget that rehearsals start this week.  Get ready for fun times.  And remember that we are NOT rehearsing in Bondi Surf Club, but next door in the pavilion.

Mon 13 Feb 7.30 - 9.30 High Tide Room (out the back near the amphitheatre)
Wed 15 Feb 7.00 - 9.00 Seagull Room (upstairs)
Mon 20 Feb 7.30 - 9.30 High Tide Room
Wed 22 Feb 7.00 - 9.00 Seagull Room
Mon 27 Feb 7.30 - 9.30 High Tide Room
Wed 01 Mar 7.00 - 9.30 Seagull Room

To our interstate marchers, we will be loading a video online for you to follow after the Wednesday rehearsal.

Also be sure to follow us on our social media platforms:
Webpage : http://lifesaverswithpride.blogspot.com.au/
Instagram : lifesavers_with_pride
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifesaversWithPride
Twitter: @LWP_2017

And always tag your posts with the LWP hashtags:
#lwp2017
#mardigras
#mardigrasparade2017
#lifesaverswithpride

See you soon for fun times.

Gary and the Committee

NEW SWIMWEAR SUPPLIER FOR LWP

Hey, it's all getting very close.

Last week we had our swimwear supplier inform us that they wouldn't be supplying us this year (no need now to credit them on our social media posts). After some hasty calls we have now arranged for Rival to supply us with one pair of swimmers each.  If anyone registered on the proviso that they would receive two pairs, let us know and we can refund your money.

Also, Mardi Gras are mumbling about reducing participant numbers in the parade.  We have only filled 90 of our 100 requested spots, with a waiting list for the final positions, dependent on our final allocation.  If we receive less than 90, then we will need to cut those last to register from our group.  Fingers crossed.

It's all getting close now.  See you soon.

Gary and the committee

REGISTRATIONS FOR LWP PARADE 2017 HAVE NOW CLOSED

Hey All,

We have had a terrific response to both our Marchers and Volunteers for the 2017 Mardi Gras parade.  For the first time, we have now filled all spots, before the end of January.  Plus we have a list of people ready in case anyone drops out.

Looking forward to seeing you all at our first rehearsal on Monday 12 February down at the Bondi pavilion (not the surf club)

It's all getting close, and is going to be a lot of fun.

Gary and the LWP committee

Hi all

Registrations for "marchers" in the parade have now closed, but there are still spots for "volunteers"!

So if you have missed out as a "marcher" you can still register as a "volunteer" and assist during the parade as we wind our way up Oxford Street .... hand our water to the "marchers", carry flags, dress in full uniform and walk with our group etc etc ....

Gary and the LWP Committee.