Pinkboard's SGLMG 98 AGM Graffiti Wall

For the first time in a few years there will be an election at this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras' Annual General Meeting. There will also be lots of debate because there are some angry people in the community.

Some of the issues that will probably be debated are

the new ticketing policy and pricing
a men's only space
the $38,069 loss
communication between members and the organisation

Then we'll have all the fun of the election too! Join the debate using the form at the bottom of this page. (If you are a candidate for the election please identify yourself as such.)

Copyright (C) Pinkboard, 1998. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Racism, sexism, libel and other offensiveness is not welcome.

was the theft of the MG tickets reported to the police? Why is that whenever there is a dyke president MG allways makes a loss?
gayman - Tue Jul 21 11:17:22 1998

Who wants to buy my tickets for next years MG? only $300 each I'll be going to a 100% gay party
100%gay - Tue Jul 21 11:19:26 1998

I wonder if anyone from MG management will actually read any of these messages?
gayman - Tue Jul 21 11:20:48 1998

I wonder if anyone from MG management will actually read any of these messages?
gayman - Tue Jul 21 11:22:00 1998

I have been told that people from Mardi Gras committees and board do read Pinkboard.
Panther - Tue Jul 21 19:50:32 1998

I would like to see Mardi Gras immediately revoke the membership of any person found selling tickets for more than face value. If you don't want to go to the party, then don't, but don't ruin it for the rest of us.
Tue Jul 21 20:02:48 1998

Im selling my tickets to gay people only but at a profit. if Mg can print 10% of their tickets and see them, why can't I sell my 3??
100%gay - Tue Jul 21 22:58:32 1998

internal fraud involving over 2000 tickets last MG how many will it be this sleaze??? And dont forget its the MG management that allows straights to be members
100%gay - Tue Jul 21 23:01:58 1998

I would like to see MG revoke all memberships of straights now. I'm selling my tickets to gays only. What about the 2000 tickets that MG produced and are involved in internal fraud?
Tue Jul 21 23:06:02 1998

History will tell the story of the 2000 tickets...and your three if you dont drop it!
Wed Jul 22 16:30:09 1998

It is the constitution (articles) of the company (SGL MG) that allows straights to be members. If you want to change that you will need to propose a motion at the AGM.
Panther - Wed Jul 22 20:22:32 1998

I believe that Gary Burns (making a difference & 78er) deserves serious considereration as a vote for social concience. His constant letters to the Editor, show a man that Cares...
Chris - Thu Jul 23 9:49:52 1998

History repeating.....and I'll do what ever i want with my tickets I paid good money for them and will make even better money selling them to overseas gays who cannot get tickets
100%gay - Thu Jul 23 13:08:08 1998

100% gay - guess what ? I'm doing what ever I want with my tickets as well. I'm giving them to 2 straight friends of mine.
Surely you have no objections to that - Thu Jul 23 13:15:29 1998

Fine do what you want with your ticketsI'll be at a gay party anyway
100%gay - Thu Jul 23 13:27:49 1998

I forgot to say - the AGM is 6pm Saturday 29th August at the Oxford Koala Hotel.
Panther - Thu Jul 23 20:47:44 1998

One problem that needs to be addressed...As serious...AGM. This AGM has all the hallmarks of a Shitfight! Can I suggest honesty integrity and unity for the common good?
that's all of us... - Fri Jul 24 4:21:03 1998

I'm into scatting - so i'm looking forward to the shit fight.
Don't spoil my fun - Fri Jul 24 7:43:52 1998

Expect a long night on the 28th. I will be setting up a stall selling sleeping pillows and blankets.
Entrepreneurial queen - Fri Jul 24 10:25:43 1998

Checkout www.ticketek.com.au My worst fears have been realised. There's Sleaze alongside Disney on Ice.
Good one MG Board - Fri Jul 24 16:43:19 1998

I'm pissed off. I went to the Ticketek site to book my Sleaze ticket. Hit a few wrong keys and now I'm going to Disney on Ice on the 3rd.
Pluto - Fri Jul 24 18:02:49 1998

Great it's way overdue for a cat fight. And I could slap a few drama queens in the face as well for giving thoer tickets to straights.....sell them you fool
100%gay - Fri Jul 24 18:12:49 1998

Who owns sglmg? Us, the lesbian and gay community, the national australian community (good for tourism), the international community (even better for tourism) or is it some of you vile sydney queens (not all - thankfully). As a regional queen all I seem to here from some of our 'city cousins' is hierachal and self appointed sydney bullshit. I can't get to the agm but think a values register for incoming board members would be valuable.
Regional Queen - Fri Jul 24 22:24:37 1998

I'll be bringing a large bag of fruit and vegs to throw at past committee members if they cause any trouble. Bring some too so we can all have some fun.
Mon Jul 27 11:05:11 1998

Good to see that tickets have increased once again, but what gives about increasing the concession tickets prices??? I didnt get more money on my pension allowance, what with having to pay $40 now looks like food will come second this month. Thanks MG
pensioner - Mon Jul 27 12:11:34 1998

pensioner--- looks like MG have let you all down once again, what with the high cost of festival tickets. Did you go to any of the MG festival events or just the free ones like me? Just another case of the management being out of touch with our community
100%gay - Mon Jul 27 12:17:05 1998

Regional Queen- Hello! Which values are most out of touch and what would be the country cousin perspective.
hay-riders and slickers - Tue Jul 28 4:56:19 1998

I know 2 people who sold their concession tickets at a tidy profit - enough to buy their substances certainly. The whole 3 ticket per person concession is quite a little scam isnt it!
Arquebus - Tue Jul 28 22:06:52 1998

Be sensible and tactful about your "Men only Space" sentiments. It's coming across as heterophobic vitriol. I can see the reasonable point made but I won't be buying into any acid-queen slagging trip. I wouldn't want to be in the same hemisphere let alone the same pavillion as such people.
James - Tue Jul 28 22:13:51 1998

Please don't give shit to the "gay" staff at Fish or Ticketek, it's not the staff who made the change. If you must get agro, please call MG or go to the AGM.
Craig - Tue Jul 28 23:13:23 1998

Values for board members would probably need to touch on the need to balance the reality of commercialism with the need of community ownership of sglmg. Seems to me that big business, big sydney queen power trips and big sydney 'a' list egocentric centre of the universe type thought is where we are at now. To those who don't fall in the above catogorie, I most profusely apologize.
regional queen - Wed Jul 29 0:17:23 1998

So much for Nile's Festival of Light being a destructive force within the discourse of the queer nation - perhaps Mardi Gras could be named the Festival of Fight. What forms of resistance and activism remain within this essentially middle class, middle aged organisation? Associating commerical presence (Wow! The Sydney Morning Herald sponsers my sexuality) with social acceptance has been one of the most vile aspects of Mardi Gras since the late 1980's. It seems so many of us (yes, I'm a fag in case you want to perpetuate the tedious fag/dyke dichotomy) are so facking caught up in the sexual politics of narcissim Ñ we are the postmoderns who have no wider term of reference except our immediate commodity networks. We are validated because we have commercial spaces. Our identity derives from each fleeting act of consumption. And we are consumiong ourseleves in the process. Ignoring what the real purpose of liberation was in 1978 and spending so much friggin time playing the personality games which are part of the landscape of *all* community networks with a colourful, varied, and contested history. If everyone who participated in the 1998 Mardi Gras campaign actually campaigned for real social justice (ie. individual direct action via parliamentary and extra-parliamentary networks) rather than individualised, hedonistic, and narcissistic forms of quasi-politics - the Australian political and sexual landscape could be fundamentally different. Whatever the composition of the next Mardi Gras board Ñ it is time to consider making Mardi Gras a two year celebration of Queer beauty and courage. Why not alternate between something large, beautiful and bold and something which links personal stories, narratives, and Queer Pride to the more rudimentary aspects of the Mardi Gras mission? Why not 'public' Gay Pride in Paramatta, Penrith, and places West, South, North of Petersham? Move beyond the inner city and embrace the periphery guys. It is time for a new Rainbow coalition folks.
Wed Jul 29 0:30:43 1998

What, who would be stupid enough to give up such a brilliant career move as becoming a Mardi Gras bigwig? Silly leftie/commo/pinko bastards. Coca Cola is the future. Well, I'm off to take up my new pozzie as a director of Foxtel. Cheers all.
Anonymous former MG board member - Wed Jul 29 0:52:34 1998

Looks like I'll have to have a little whisper in Jeff's ear. Melbourne would be very pleased to nurture MG. It's interesting watching the fur fly in Sydney. Greed has entrenched itself to a point of no return. Keep going… you people have truly lost sight of what it is to be human. At least here in Melbourne we appreciate respect. You have to give to receive. Who wants some ? :o)
Colonel Sleaze (The original) - Wed Jul 29 1:32:20 1998

so...How do we stimulate a community for all to benefit?
I dunno where the wheels fell off. - Wed Jul 29 5:16:01 1998

If there isn't blood on the carpet, I want my money back. Happy Ho packs quite a punch I'm told.
Go Ho Go - Wed Jul 29 9:10:25 1998

My ex-boyfriend was into narcisstic forms of quasi-politics. But teh real problem was that he was basically boring in bed.
The things that matter - Wed Jul 29 13:34:55 1998

Yeah - well at least I knew how to do one thing right.
Your Ex-boyfriend - Wed Jul 29 19:52:23 1998

Melbourne .a.k.a. bleak city would'nt know what to do with mardi gras......then again maybe the party could be held at crown casino.......
regional queen - Thu Jul 30 0:40:05 1998

Happy Ho is real good value - pretty she is running with such mediocre men!
Thu Jul 30 1:51:18 1998

If you are not a member you can still get tickets to the party,just go to a travel agent and book a package deal with accomodation and get a ticket to the party (Sleaze or MG). And all you members thought that only members could get tickets. money speaks louder to MG management
Thu Jul 30 12:17:31 1998

Fri Jul 31 12:22:36 1998

Check out www.findus.com.au/reform98 for details of one of the alternative MG tickets.
Cyber - Fri Jul 31 19:24:20 1998

Perhaps the MG has become too big and commercial for all of us. The crush for that one big night is too much for even the most tolerant. The Rio Carnival Spans four days and everyone gets to be a part of it without all the hassle we go through. We need to think about ways of de-concentrating the big event and making it more personal and community oriented. Think smaller, communal, spread out, decentralised, diverse!
James - Fri Jul 31 22:32:59 1998

James, Mardi Gras goes for a whole month - what more do you want. Like many queens, I suggest you are too party focused. I'm sure if you looked at the festival program each year, you would find many 'personal and community oriented' events.
Sick of the whinging - Sat Aug 1 14:58:38 1998

One thing that undoubtfully needs to be changed before the AGM is the absurd and outdated ruling...candidates cannot speak out in support of their candidacy at the agm.Gary Burns(making a difference & 78er) "wants to not just change the chairs on the Titanic,but sink the F**kin ship forever". I for one want to hear what else he has to say.
diversity includes you... - Sat Aug 1 15:31:37 1998

For the evidence of where the ruling eoite of MG want the event and their careers to go, just check out the current issue of SSO. Why would Bev Lange be annoyed that the gay and lesbian press are announcing the outcome of the economic impavct study before the mainstream press. Because the Herald will be pissed off? Twenty years of [R]evolution? Not. But just one would be a good idea.
Sat Aug 1 19:58:19 1998

The MG board has stated that it is a complex organisation.Why?
my interest is simple! - Mon Aug 3 1:44:03 1998

My ex boy friend was complex - that's why I dumped him.
The things that matter - Mon Aug 3 11:23:38 1998

As a current board member can I make a few points. Mardi Gras' Constitution only allows straights to become members if they can make out a special case. No one has successfully done so to date. There has been no increase in concession ticket prices for Sleaze Ball despite views to the contrary. And finally Mardi Gras is complex in many ways not least because so many people care so passionately about it. It is impossible to meet everyone's demands and navigating the right course is often very difficult. Outsourcing ticketing was for example a very hard decision not made lightly but one which in the Board's view was justified in terms of service delivery to members, in terms of cost and in terms of introducing security features to our ticketing which could not have been achieved in any other way. Fundamental to any agreement was a guarantee that membership information would remain confidential.
David McLachlan - Mon Aug 3 22:45:46 1998

David, As a community there is still so much to achieve legal, moral and fundamental.But the board has often appeared elevated, distant and remote. Perhaps we need to re-think what the goals are, because it affects all of us.
Matthew - Tue Aug 4 1:31:17 1998

I'm sorry David, but Murray McLachlan sums up the recent history of Mardi Gras very well in the current SSO — although he was himself part of the clique that were screaming 'lesbian takeover' a few decades back when Cath Phillips' ticket won a majority of seats. For quite a few years now the existing power in the board has ensured that people who agree with their ideas and carry out their instructions retain control (the Rob Patmore story is a classic example of that). Thus we have the cocktail cabinet that Larry Galbraith refers to. There has been a growing elitism for some time and if you would just like to explain to us why it is that MG wanted the straight press to get the Mardi Gras Millions story before the community press, or why New Weekly were given exclusive access to Kylie & Dannii, or what Helena Christiansen has to do with gay and lesbian Sydney and why she should be invited to the VIP viewing room at Taylor Square, why the Telegraph should be invited to the viewing room to print trashy gossip about the Minogues … need I go on? Personally I hope the rebel tickets do very well. It may set MG back a bit in terms of the current board's corporate aspirations, but in the long term the community will be better served by people who are not part of the current hereditary peerage. Prove me wrong.
A Mardi Gras Republic - Tue Aug 4 2:22:45 1998

I've been here every day waiting for David to reply, but no-one has said anything about the last posting. What does this mean I wonder?
Jase - Thu Aug 6 1:08:23 1998

Please explain.
It's me - Thu Aug 6 19:17:01 1998

I actually think Murray McLachlan has got it very wrong in his opinion piece in the Star. Not only is it very peculiar to pine for the days when 'preferred' lists of candidates were surreptitiously circulated at AGMs but there is absolutely no evidence that Mardi Gras decision making has become increasingly centralised. My experience has been that a Board of 14 very different people quite often disagree but having made a decision move on together with no particular person or group exercising undue power or influence. I also believe there has been a far greater devolution of power to staff and committees than there has ever been before. How this equates with elitism or cocktail cabinets is beyond me.
David McLachlan - Thu Aug 6 23:16:33 1998

Sorry David, you didn't answer the questions. Why am I not surprised. The fact is that for some years now a handful of people have been ensuring they retain control over who gets onto the Board. I suppose one could blame complacent membership for some of that, but it still comes down to a matter of an elite group believing they know better than the great unwashed just what is best for all.
A Mardi Gras Republic - Fri Aug 7 1:31:57 1998

David you sound just like what is wrong with MG management.. all talk and no action. And all that talk is just a load of crap anyway
100%gay - Fri Aug 7 12:03:16 1998

David you sound just like what is wrong with MG management.. all talk and no action. And all that talk is just a load of crap anyway, do you really think you make any sense at all?
100%gay - Fri Aug 7 12:04:09 1998

David, It is obviously high time for you to pass your seat onto someone else...Your opinion of Murray's article is exactly THAT...Are you perhaps suggesting that US members have got it all wrong...Exactly how out of touch are the members with the Board...?
"make that a tripple" - Sat Aug 8 1:17:01 1998

Really this Grafitti wall is very quiet. Come on Panther liven up the bitching.
Sun Aug 9 22:58:24 1998

Can one do a postal vote for the AGM? Am not able to attend.
Want a vote - Mon Aug 10 12:23:25 1998

Not if *they* can help it — see letters SSO.
Mon Aug 10 13:38:57 1998

Re postal vote. Live out of Sydney metro area and unable to get to the AGM or read SSO letters. Does not seem very democratic if you can't have a vote if you are unable to attend the meeting. What about people who have to work that night and do live in Sydney? Are they also denied a vote? Is this what the letters in SSO are about? I am a full member and this is the first time I have thought about the fact that I cannot have a vote!
Want a vote - Mon Aug 10 23:57:18 1998

Why dont we vote in a vote of no confidence in the present committee, so that it will be on record forever to warn off future bungling??
Tue Aug 11 9:47:36 1998

A cock up with the auditors report.
When will the incompetence end - Tue Aug 11 15:13:00 1998

Remember when a certain board presided over by a certain barrister forgot to book the showgrounds for a certain party.
That was a major cock up - Tue Aug 11 17:59:42 1998

Yeah, never mind the past and the occasional accidental stuff up. Anyone can do that. It's the refusal to listen to *the people* that's the problem.
Tue Aug 11 20:26:22 1998

Can someone tell me more about the 'alternative' tickets. I know about Reform 98. I hear there is a a couple of independents, a youth ticket, and a Ho/Hua/Baird etc ticket...
vote 'other' at the AGM - Wed Aug 12 2:45:31 1998

Where the hell is sam levy!
Wed Aug 12 3:55:40 1998

I wonder how David is going to repond to the mail that MG members started to receive this week (some are only receiving envelopes!). The letter from Marsdens is most interesting - I can't wait for the presentation of their report at the AGM. The AGM is going to be very interesting. And what are they going to do if more than 250 people turn up - the Oxford Room only holds 250 people. Will they try to cancel the meeeting or will we all have to be bussed to an alternative venue? This AGM is turning into a very expensive exercise for members. Michael Chapman Re-Form'98 (yes, I'm a candidate) Our policies and various articles on Mardi Gras are available at our web site at www.findus.com.au/reform98
Wed Aug 12 14:06:09 1998

I'm so glad I'm going to the Community Meeting tonight to learn how wonderful and correct the Ticketek decision was.
How foolish of me to hace ever doubted the decision - Wed Aug 12 16:07:17 1998

I've heard that the whole Mardi Gras board are going to do the Full Monty at the meeting tonite.
If it's good enough for David McL it's good enough for the rest of them - Wed Aug 12 16:56:44 1998

Also is it true that Happy is actually Bev's long lost love child ?
Gilligan's talk - Wed Aug 12 16:58:59 1998

Why oh why can't I have a postal vote?
Wed Aug 12 21:59:24 1998

Hello. Where's the f***ing AGM news guys 'n' girls? We out of Staters want to know and know now!!!!
Waiting less than patiently - Thu Aug 13 0:34:01 1998

What?? it's 10am Thursday and no one has posted a message about the meeting last night. Did MG arrange a kidnapping of all dissidents? Or did they all fall asleep through boredom or of "passing the buck". I, as a toxic bitter queen was unable to attend last night.
100%gay - Thu Aug 13 10:09:40 1998

I was unable to attend because I figured I would have more fun at my at Ken's place. So what is the story?
Thu Aug 13 11:16:09 1998

I was unable to attend because I figured I'd have more friend at Ken's place.
Thu Aug 13 11:49:24 1998

The meeting last night was interesting. Bev informed us that because the Ticketek tickets have a hologram and as part of rationalising costs at the party, there will be no laser lights in the RHI. We will all be required to hold our party tickets up to the lights and watch the fabulous holograms. Far better and more cost efficient than any laser show.
Kerry's bum boy - Thu Aug 13 11:57:50 1998

Regional Queen...Hello! What directions add to the values.
farmboy/girl Citygirl/boy - Fri Aug 14 6:04:01 1998

One day a Marie Antoinette, next day a Mardi Gras board member.
A former MA - Fri Aug 14 15:24:26 1998

GST = Great Sex at the Taxi club
Johnnie - Sat Aug 15 23:08:47 1998

Oh Dear such a shit fight. sglmg does not control our community. It only seems they do. Murdoch at fox studios and the sydney herald and the rest of the media control our community now. The mardi gras movie planned for the imax theatre also means we please everyone else except ourselves. Why don't we drop the whole thing and call the mardi gras the australian big dollar mardi gras that celebrates mainly gay and lesbian culture and is run or controlled by the sydney queer cocktail set. Maybe the back room with dj buck naked could be turned into a music clip for rage. While it's great that mainstream australia have taken us on board why do our elected gay and lesbian cocktail set, 'queerfia', sell us out so easily. also will little johnies gst put the tickets for the party up even more so only rich poofs and dykes can come to ourso called community parties.
regional queen - Sun Aug 16 23:46:03 1998

Regional queen you must come to Sydney and educate these dillbrained queens. your ideas are spot on and should be voiced at the AGM. proud of ya mate!
100%gay - Mon Aug 17 12:13:46 1998

Homebush - here we cum !!!!!!
Could it be true - Mon Aug 17 12:54:02 1998

Quite frankly if no more than 80 members are going to turn up to a meeting about how Rupert will be making a fortune out of MG and so Kerry needs a slice of the action, then Sydney f***ing well deserves what it gets. Have another eccie girls.
Mon Aug 17 17:26:03 1998

*Unconfirmed* Report The rumour is out! Could it be? Warwick Hart ("The man who would be president' current SSO 418) and Mark Glazier (sp? treasurer), is now not running for the board. Something about the scanning in of the auditor's signature from last year's annual report (linked to the letter members received last week regarding the auditor's report). If this is true, this is a very bleak moment in Mardi Gras history. I hear this from a most reliable source (thank you). I stress that all of the above has yet to be independently confirmed. If you would like to contact me personally to comment on the above or any other reason please call +61 2 9754 1469 or my mobile 0419 666 288 or email matthewhua@hotmail.com I knew there was going to be drama when I decided to run, and boy, I haven't been disappointed. Matthew Hua, candidate.
Don't vote for the encumbent board. - Tue Aug 18 1:27:12 1998

Calling all chartered accountants - could be space on the board.........
Two and two equals .... der - Tue Aug 18 10:59:27 1998

The rumour is true. I had it off with Warwick Hart at the Den last night and he told me.
Don't tell his boyfriend where he was though - Tue Aug 18 16:47:03 1998

One alternative to a postal vote is to give your proxy to someone you trust and get them to vote according to your instructions. I am willing to do this if anyone can trust me. ;-)
panther - Tue Aug 18 20:41:58 1998

If you are considering nominating for the board. You have until 6pm tonight (Wednesday 19 August) to get your nomination form into the Mardi Gras office.
get your butt to Newtown - Wed Aug 19 3:03:07 1998

Sorry but i have a life away from the cocktail bar set so i will not be nominating myself
Wed Aug 19 13:26:45 1998

Who but who will stand for the mardi gras board and be put in front of thousands or even millions of ferocious, vicious and very demanding gay and lesbian consumers. The sglmg is like a government to many in our community but to many of us who can't travel to sydney it means nothing. What about postal voting for us that have the sense not to live in sydney or will the sydney queerfia cocktail set get upset about loosing its grip on the mardi gras and knock this on its head. I suppose what's happening nationally where the country is speaking loud and clear may yet happen to gay and lesbian politics and the sydney queerfia may have to listen or implode as seems to be the case now.
regional queen - Wed Aug 19 13:47:59 1998

Regional: If you want postal voting, propose a change to the articles for the next AGM or an extrordinary GM. (I think it is too late for a motion for this meeting.) It is within any members power to propose a change like this.
Panther - Wed Aug 19 20:11:45 1998

Yes, it is too late for a motion of business and it would need to be a Special Resolution - 75% of those present and voting . As part of our commitment to our community in this upcoming election is to "continue the debate on constitutional evolution, and within six months, bring before the membership a constitutional amendment to allow for direct election of president and directors by pre-paid postal ballot in the 1999 elections." If you cant get to this year's AGM and can't find someone to hold your proxy contact us and we'll introduce you to a member who is attending. Check out our policies and register at www.findus.com.au/reform98 or phone 02 9281 4810. If elected we will assist members in developing and expressing their political potential i.e. advise members on how to place motions of business and advertise closing dates for business papers. Damian and I only just got our motion of business on to the paper - we only heard on the grapevine that a AGM was going to be called. Unfortunately, when the notice paper closed there was insufficient time to draft and place a Special Resolution. Anyway, we believe constitutional evolution needs a process of community discussion and debate. It would also be a good idea to encourage a number of cases or options to be presented to the membership. What ever the case some form of postal voting is need if Mardi Gras is to be a truely democratic human rights organisation. Michael Chapman Re-Form'98
Michael Chapman Re-Form'98 - Thu Aug 20 0:57:52 1998

so who's now heading what was the Warwick Hart ticket. D McL, I suppose.
just curious - Thu Aug 20 13:39:14 1998

Is it possible that David Mac in his attempt to run a full ticket had to join up new members? Is it possible that 3 or 4 people on his ticket became Mardi Gras members in the last few days?
Just wondering - Thu Aug 20 16:35:27 1998

I just loved the article in yesterdays herald. It is so nice to see the mainstream interested in our communities internal politics. But then again have we become mainstreamed????
regional queen - Fri Aug 21 0:38:46 1998

Would'nt it be great if the glrl recieve some of mg profits to enhance all of our lives and...Future.
win/win solutions always! - Fri Aug 21 5:10:51 1998

Doesn't it already? Rumours are that the lobby are the main beneficaries of the BGF parade raised seating licence fees.
Fri Aug 21 13:12:41 1998

Love the Royal Family remark in this week's SSO gosspi. 'Tis too true. The Royals loyal to the cocktail cabinet and the ALP.
Sister Cynic - Fri Aug 21 20:54:50 1998

I do not have any objection to a beer fridge. But it is certainly last call for cocktails!
Sun Aug 23 16:31:43 1998

Loved David's and Stewart's photo on the front page of the Star but where were the dogs and the Volvo.
over the Royal Family - Sun Aug 23 17:49:33 1998

Can someone please explain the optional preferential system of voting? Is it true that it is better to vote for only who you want on the Board (even if this is say just one person) rather than voting 1 to 14 for all positions? How does having four different tickets (Reform, Democrats, Youth and McLachlan) affect the distribution of votes?
In the name of democracy - Mon Aug 24 13:56:56 1998

The system is first past the post. This means you vote for all the candidates you want to see elected - up to a maximum of 14 You don't have to number them in any order. Just put crosses in the boxes next to their names. Also, make sure you don't vote for any candidates you don't want elected. But, if you don't vote for 14 candidates you're making it easier for the people you don't want elected to get elected. This is because by not voting for 14, you're lowering the total number of votes and you're lowering the number of votes against them.
Just being helpful - Mon Aug 24 17:03:15 1998

The lists of cantidates are published in last SSO and the AGM is this Saturday. Is there to be no real debate here?
Panther - Mon Aug 24 20:35:07 1998

Our community has the potential,the intelligence and the diversity to show the rest of Australia exactly how society should be organised to further the greater benefit of tolerance, understanding, acceptance and the necessity to achieve for all.
lead by example - Tue Aug 25 2:10:15 1998

Things seem to be hotting up at last. David McL seeming to go from one gay event to the next all last weekend with hand fulls of proxy forms. I was asked twice yesterday to carry a proxy for the McL team. No one seemed to be amused when I explained that I was against the greying of M.G. and that it is time for a new broom.
concerned M.G. member - Tue Aug 25 9:23:02 1998

Greecian 2000 should fix David's problem!
Thu Aug 27 1:12:07 1998

Speaking of Greecians — how about a Head On show at the party featuring Alex Dimitriades and his lovely uncut schlong! Or will he be doing one elsewhere anyway?
Thu Aug 27 4:06:29 1998

Shouldn't there have been a mailout with the list of cantidates. Shouldn't we all have been sent proxy forms?
Election Fever - Thu Aug 27 8:33:11 1998

Unfortunately it's each persons individual responsibility to organise there prozac, whoops, I mean proxys. I know it's ridiculous, but if you want one get it done know!
proxy@sglmg.agm - Thu Aug 27 8:57:04 1998

My hunch is that the McLachlan ticket will win all Board positions. My preference however is for representation from the Ho/Hua ticket as well as the McL ticket. There are good candidates on the McL ticket (including the prez elect himself). However to maximise the worth of my vote I will be limiting my vote to the 4 candidates on the Ho/Hua ticket and not for vote for the whole 14 positions. To vote for any from the McL ticket will dilute my Ho/Hua vote. This is because there is already a body of members out there who will be voting for the McL ticket in any case and I will be simply adding to their vote. So for those of you who do not want another single ticket board, then limit your vote to the alternative ticket(s) or independent(s) you support. Repeat - do note vote for any on the McL ticket.
Counting the numbers and keeping my fingers crossed - Thu Aug 27 12:31:11 1998

I think that there is enough dissatisfaction with the current board that the ticket will have a hard time getting back in. I would say the Ho/Hua ticket has a good chance. I wouldn't like to call the rest though. Mr Green or Mr McKerras where are you?
Panther - Thu Aug 27 19:52:40 1998

I support the McLaughlin team only if the mainstreaming of mardi gras is halted. While it's good to have widespread acceptance of our festival it's not good when the mainstream affects the running of our leading organisation. In this regard I mean the ticketing arrangements, the sponsorships that don't advance our community and the way mainstream media report with more clarity the news on mardi gras and other gay events than our own community press seem to.
regional queen - Thu Aug 27 21:58:48 1998

Now that proxys are closed. Last year there were only 10 proxy votes as reported in today's Sydney Star Observer. I believe there are 200+ proxys for this AGM. Mr McL. was very busy last weekend (I've done my numbers)! With that in mind, please come to the AGM this Saturday (6pm 29 August) at the Oxford Koala Hotel, Oxford St, Darlinghurst to cast your vote! You don't have to stay all night - but of course you can. You can vote and then party! Remember, who ever you vote for, you can strenghten your vote by limiting the number of candicates you vote for. Understood? Good!
Go 'alternative'! - Fri Aug 28 1:30:42 1998

Vote for Reform 88, the 4 Democrats, Tim Elkinton, and the Youth ticket, Wendy brady, Jen Wilson on the McL ticket too. Vote Hybrid! Make it a returning officer's nightmare.
have fun with politics - Fri Aug 28 3:28:33 1998

Rumours re Saturday night. I've heard that the Reform98 ticket has changed its name to Deformed98 (or is it Retarded98). Tim Elkington will be wearing his Mardi Antoinette costume - his claim to fame.Happy Ho will be doing her Pauline routine and Matthew Baird will doing drag as Natasha S-D. Unfortunately the Youth ticket will not be there - the guy has had an outbreak of acne and the girl's parents won't let her out for the night. The Democracy ticket want a boys (not men's) only space and David McL is such a fatherly figure. I reckon that Bob Carr is going to announce another Woods Royal Commission accusing Mardi Gras of you know what.
The motley crew - Fri Aug 28 7:09:33 1998

I'm setting up a bookmakers stand on Saturday night. Current odds are: Evens - clean sweep by D McL ticket; 10 to 1 - combined D McL ticket and Democracy ticket board; 1000 to 1 - all independents and alternative tickets get in; 1000000 to1 - Gary Burns is elected president by the new board
Entrepreneurial queen - Fri Aug 28 9:27:29 1998

Can I put 50 cents each way on a combined board - 11 D McL members and 3 democracy members.
Hope I get from Randwick Racecourse to Oxford Koala on time - Fri Aug 28 12:55:58 1998

I dreamt during the week that there were no Richard Cobden, Susan Harben and Larry Galbraith speeches at the AGM.
I guess dreams never come true - Fri Aug 28 13:13:26 1998

1000 people to be at the AGM. Any other bids? Going, going, ...
Vote D&D, Reform, Youth and inds. - Fri Aug 28 18:21:10 1998

As a Melbourne gay (genuine) guy, I would just be grateful to be able to even get a ticket to Mardi Gras. Even being an associate member didn't help me two years ago and it's mighty hard to get to know an actual fully fledged member to sign your application. We HAVE to resort to buying from scalpers!
Mykal - Fri Aug 28 20:51:19 1998

To: I guess dreams never come true ... You might be lucky and get two out of three
... your worst nightmare - Sat Aug 29 2:06:29 1998

Yep, I'm certain that RC will give a long and deeply pained speech about why the annointed Royal Family should continue their domination of Mardi Gras as the only ALP hacks who really know what they're doing. God save the queens. Mayhap Larry will beg to differ, but no-one ever listens, more's the pity.
Sat Aug 29 3:07:18 1998

Whatever the result of tonights election...it's OUR future that is at stake...Personally, I do not believe that David McL ticket is Solid enough to deliver...Any of the necessary goods...Your choice of Future!
Best of Luck...D&D, Re-form & all independants! - Sat Aug 29 5:08:20 1998

I've been practising all night. I jump out of my chair and yell out "Point of order". The problem is I don't know whether to do it in a high pitched girlie scream or a deep rough just been to the Den sort of scream.
more rexcited than MG day itself - Sat Aug 29 8:13:44 1998

Each way? Is that win or loose?
Sat Aug 29 10:30:20 1998

I am keeping my fingers crossed for Happy tonight. This girl has it all - style, charisma, brains, sense of humour, vision ..... I'm voting for democracy tonite !!!!
Go Ho Go - Sat Aug 29 12:23:10 1998

put an end to the Royal family and their contol of our Mardi Gras - vote ReForm98 and the other independents. Remember you can vote and run.
finish them off - Sat Aug 29 13:21:41 1998

Will someone post the results as soon as they're known? Please.
Sat Aug 29 20:13:53 1998

Just came home from the AGM and still don't have a result. Panther is still there and will post the results as soon as he gets back.
Sat Aug 29 23:12:24 1998

Results (* = elected) 917 votes cast, 2 invalid, 7 disputed

Max Ireland 338
Gary Leeson 449 *
Happy Ho 377 *
Mathew Hua 297
Matthew Baird 279
Ilana Kaplin 404 *
Bronte Morris 212
Gareth Gillham 198
Paul Croft 441 *
Tim Elkington 245
Glen Horder 408 *
Wendy Brady 415 *
Lynley Matthews 184
Chris Bonney 414 *
Pail Dillon 424 *
Valerie Bader 411 *
Cris Townley 376
Garry Burns 166
Damian Furlong 330
David McLachlan 558 *
Graeme Greenhalgh 389 *
Jenifer Wilson 402 *
Amanda Nickson 384 *
Michael Gray 238
Michael Chapman 313
Lisa Pears 414 *

Panther - Sat Aug 29 23:51:00 1998

For those who are interested in some analysis of the AGM results beyond the raw results.

David McLachlan clearly has a personal mandate from the membership - his personal vote was 60.85% of formal votes cast.
No other candidate gained 50% ie a majority of the formal vote - the closest was Gary Leeson on 48.96%
The candidates on the McLachlan ticket (excluding McLachlan) ranged from 41% to 48.96% with 7 under 45%. This suggests that the McLachlan ticket took 13 out of 14 positions (and was beaten out of the last position by one vote) with less than 50% of the formal vote.
The Re-form '98 group averaged around 35% of the formal vote - which suggests they were supported by a significant minority of the membership.
The total possible number of votes that could have been cast was 12838 ie 917x14. The actual number of votes cast was 9067 - which mean each member voted on average for only 10 candidates

Mungo McCareless - those of you who know me will know who I am. - Sun Aug 30 3:20:39 1998

I went to the meeting last nite. Based on the performance of Lange, Hart and in particular Glazier at the meeting, all I can say is thanks for throwing your towels in. Your time was definitely up.
Enjoy your retirement - Sun Aug 30 4:13:59 1998

Firstly...Congrats to David McLachlan & Happy Ho along with all other Board Members on your election to further the lives and culture of this diverse and forward thinking community. A huge show of appreciation to all of the amazingly talented candidates that care so much for everybody,its a pity there is not room for 26 seats at the table. Can this united community now move to further enrich society with our most important asset...all of us!
lead by example experiance and education where possible. - Sun Aug 30 5:43:59 1998

The DJs that played the AGM were crap!
Sun Aug 30 10:07:18 1998

My observations re last nite. (a) Bev sure does not know how to chair a meeting. But we will forgive her. There was no vote of thanks to her from the floor. A pity indeed.

(b) It was revealed that the medical committee does not have its own budget and must go cowtailing to other committees for funds. A scandal which must be corrected immediately. Dr Happy, there is a job there for you I think.

(c) Any future Board must never never present a special resolution to the members without full written explanations for the motion being given. The failure of the auditor removal motion was a clear indication that the membership must not be taken for granted. We need to be communicated to.

(d) I thank all the alternative tickets and independents for the role you have played in bringing about what seems to be an attitudinal change in the way future boards will communicate with the membership. It could herald a new era. Only one of you was elected but you did a great job.

(e) Finally, I'm so happy Happy was elected. She stood out like a shining beacon when all the candidates were brought on stage. Hang in there Ho, you have a lot of community support.
AGM attendee - Sun Aug 30 11:58:37 1998

thanks panther and everybody else for keeping those of us in the provinces up to date about what has been, and what is going on with mardi gras. this graffiti board has been really informative and I'm looking forward to reading the views of others about the AGM. thanks heaps once again.
kev in newcastle - Sun Aug 30 14:59:29 1998

I'm sooooo Happy! I hope you are too Happy! I wish there was more diversity and democracy (and the others too of course). Despite what it seems. It is a historic day. Difficult though it was. You broke the pack. You are now the community's watchdog on the board. No longer can they rest on their lorels. Happy, you may not have the numbers on the board but you are definitely not alone!
You are our voice (no pressure intended) - Mon Aug 31 0:49:56 1998

David you said "As a current board member can I make a few points. Mardi Gras' Constitution only allows straights to become members if they can make out a special case. No one has successfully done so to date. " - I know of at least 15 straight MG members and i HATE that this has happened ...has anyone noticed how even oxford street isnt a pleasant friendly gay community anymore, we need "gay space" ..make the RHI men only till 4am at MG and sleaze, trust me hundreds of members are str8 because they just want to go to good dance parties ..why should we provide that to them at the expense of thousands of socially challenged queens who want to have a happy gay only night for 2 nights out of 365 ?
James - Mon Aug 31 11:02:39 1998

13 out of the 14 McLachlan ticket got in???? What is wrong with the members. So much disatisfaction with the way the organisation was run and you still vote the same people in???? MG is now down the drain. It will now longer be a community organisation fighting for our rights (remember what 78 was about??). Poor Happy Ho is not in a very good position. Maybe it's time that MG dropped the G&L part of their title and just conceeded that they are just a big business looking out for No.1.
extremely disappointed - Mon Aug 31 11:10:25 1998

Under a different electoral system the BigMacL corporation would have got 6-8 candidates elected. The rest of the seats would have gone to 'other' tickets. Probably 2-3 seats to Reform, 2-3 seats to Diversity and perhaps one independent.

With First Past the Post system Big MacL corporation got 13 out of 14 seats. We all have Richard Cobden to thank for Mardi Gras' constitution. Richard, you are such a wonderful man. We have you to thank you for the diverse range of voices on the Mardi Gras board. *audience compliantly nods their heads and claps their hands*
We have elected a corporate board, not a community board. - Mon Aug 31 12:34:50 1998

The AGM was fascinating - same old people playing legal games which obscure rather than reveal what's really going on. You have to do so much second-guessing it's no wonder there's a big sense of paranoia out here. F'rinstance, we never found out just what was really going on with the MG auditor not tendering for the job again. Will we ever? I don't doubt that the Board works hard, but it has to do more than be *seen* to be doing a good job. As for the election, for a while it looked like democracy in action but then it became obvious that it was more like an election in the Philippines: stacked against any opposition. How could we really expect anything else? Those "in control" put the word out and all those who rely on their patronage (eg passes to the VIP lounge, anyone? No joke - I've been offered that one in the past)turned up in force to vote for a continuation of the status quo. Against the odds just one person scraped onto the board and she has a big burden to carry - to try and make the Board finally more accountable for what it does. (And how bizarre that MG has a "youth committee" to pay lip service to "youth issues" then doesn't include any of what I'd imagined to be its leaders-in-training onto its ticket.) Oh well, at least those in control got a deserved scare... thanks to Mungo for the analysis of the vote - it says a lot. A postal vote (but at what cost?) could surely make it all a lot more democratic. PS What was it with the lack of airconditioning in the room? I let the hotel staff know and they eventually did something. but it was totally unecessary, bad organisation at the least and sinister (so many people had to leave because it was too hot)at the worst.
Fastlove - Mon Aug 31 12:35:00 1998

Capital Q & Sydney Star Observer you are the community's last hope. Be the community voice like you have been. The opposition had no chance up against the monsterous monoliths that are the encumbent board. They did there numbers. Good on them. At what cost? This has left the interest on the everyday Mardi Gras member out in the cold. SSO and Q, scrutinise the board. One outside board member has no hope in doing it alone! Our papers, be our voice!
a mardi gras member - Mon Aug 31 13:59:37 1998

Greg O'Connor was the only 'other' candidate in 1997's AGM elections. He did not get elected. This year we had 12 'other' candidates. One person got elected. How many 'other' candidates next year for there to be 2 elected? What sort of a black democracy do we live in? And who is Richard Cobden? He sounds mean.
where has the 'fair go' gone? - Mon Aug 31 14:17:21 1998

No 'roof' at Sleaze. A dance under the star? How quaint. How queer! What is the latest weather forecast?
Our board will fix it. - Mon Aug 31 14:23:42 1998

I think that part of the reason why more of the alternative tickets and independents did not get up, was that too many people who voted for these people also voted for part of the McLachlan ticket. This in effect negated the worth of their vote. It would be interesting to know the following three statistics. Firstly, how many members either voted for the whole McLachlan ticket or part of that ticket and nobody else. Secondly, what was the average number of votes cast by members who voted for at least one non-McL ticket candidate. Thirdly, how many members who voted for alternative tickets or independents, also included votes for McL ticket candidates. As calculated by Mungo, the average vote per member was for 10 candidates - a high figure I think. I guess we'll never get the full analysis.
I limited my vote to the Ho ticket - I was a good boy - Mon Aug 31 15:46:00 1998

Richard Cobden is an Ex President who lives in Double Bay and speaks out for the Board. Holding back this community instead of getting on with his own life.
the black in "black democracy" - if you will - Mon Aug 31 16:12:26 1998

For the record, the following are the individual percentages each candidate got. This table clearly shows that the vote for the ticket was between 40-45%.

Incubus	McLach	558	60.85
group	Leeson	449	48.96
	Croft	441	48.09
	Dillon	424	46.24
	Brady	415	45.26
	Bonney	414	45.15
	Peers	414	45.15
	Bader	411	44.82
	Horder	408	44.49
	Kalin	404	44.06
	Wilson	402	43.84
	G'halgh	389	42.42
	Nickson	384	41.88
	Townley	376	41.00
Re-Form	Ireland	338	36.86
'98	Furlong	330	35.99
	Chapman	313	34.13
D&D	Ho	377	41.11
	Hua	298	32.50
	Baird	279	30.43
	Morris	212	23.12
Youth	Gray	238	25.95
	Matt	184	20.07
Inds	Elk'ton	245	26.72
	Gillham	198	21.59
	Burns	166	18.10

The result is entirely due to the first past the post election system, which is a winner take all system. While I don't wish to take away from Happy Ho's election, it is more due to luck than anything else. One more vote for Chris Townley and the whole incubus ticket would have been elected. The fact that Chris Townley was overseas (and therefore wasn't there to vote for herself, for example, or organise a couple of proxies) is the real reason she didn't elected. What this result means is that it is virtually impossible to become a member of the Mardi Gras Board without being invited to join by the powerbrokers - not all of whom are board members - indeed some of them have never been board members. Moreover, if you're lucky to be invited to join the board - you better toe the line - because you may not be included on the ticket next time round - as some people on past boards have already discovered to their cost. I know this may all sound bleak - but that's the way it is, folks.
Mungo - Mon Aug 31 16:51:53 1998

If Mardi Gras runs as a corporation then it's only fair to now pay the 'volunteers' of community events.
nothing short of altrocious - Mon Aug 31 17:33:38 1998

Just to add something re the theft of Mardi Gras tickets from within the office. I spent a fair amount of time and effort helping the investigation, yet I don't think it went any where. Was this swept under the mat when time had made most forget.
Mon Aug 31 18:03:06 1998

The candidates on the incubus ticket received an average percentage of 45.87% - calculated by adding their individual percentages and dividing the total by 14. This suggests that 54.13% wanted candidates non-incubus candidates to be elected. If the board was truely representative of the membership, the incubus group would have only won 45.87% of available positions - ie 6. The non-incubus candidates would have won the other eight. Thus a genuinely representative board would have comprised the following - From the incubus ticket: McLachlan Leeson Croft Dillon Brady Bonney From the Reform '98 ticket:Ireland Furlong Chapman From Democracy and Diversity:Ho Hua Baird Youth: Gray Independents:Elkington Given McLachan's personal vote, he should still become president. However, McLachlan and the incubus group don't believe in popular election of the president. They say it should be done by the board. But, with only six votes on this genuinely representative board, McLachlan wouldn't have the numbers. The eight non-incubus members would almost certainly want to elect someone else. Tough. Just as well he has the protection of winner take all first past the post.
Mungo - Mon Aug 31 18:13:44 1998

Will the new board be more efficient - a little story for ya - I have been a member for several years, I received my partners and my renewal form in the post and filled it in for both of us and faxed it off to them (credit card details attached). After this we both went away around Australia on a holiday only returning recently. On returning to our surprise we found now response from Mardi Gras re our membership. When contacted, we were told that the fax line often stored messages and due to the number recieved, some where losted. Ours included. As a result our memberships did not get renewed. To renew we need to go through the whole process again. Thanks alot Mardi Gras.
Pissed off - Mon Aug 31 18:31:24 1998

The only way that anything will ever change will be if people keep tabs on what's really going on and demand answers. The community press, SSO mainly, do a good job of trying to keep the Board on their toes, but since they behave like the Royal Family there is a constant threat hanging over their heads about advertising dollars etc. I think Capital Q really stuck its neck out with a full page ad about the election — but note that they don't get any advertising at all. If the Royal Family were truly concerned about the relationship between MG and the community, they would not organise a full ticket to prevent non-corporate minded views and people without capitalist ambitions from having input. Sure, they can whine all they like about how ungrateful the community is for all the hours they put in, but let's face it — being a bigwig at Mardi Gras is a large feather in one's cap in regard to future career moves. Another opportunity lost, and the song remains the same — We Are (the Sydney Royal) Family.
Mon Aug 31 19:01:32 1998

There is a lot of grumbling here about the "first past the post" system. Most other systems would involve recognition of tickets or parties as valid entities in the election. This would also promote the development of "government" and "opposition" on the board itself, which would lead to disfunction within the board.

A senate style preferential system might produce a different result, but we are not voting for a person to represent us on the board, we are voting for a number of people.

Also, I think Murray McLachlan is at least partly responsible for David's large personal vote. One person told me the letter in SSO was from David rather than Murray, and I am sure lots of others were confused also.
Panther - Mon Aug 31 21:53:47 1998

Panther, are we talking about "dysfunction" or "rigorous debate"? Why are we scared of the alternatives to a consensus board? The results of this election require detailed analysis. There is a lot to be learned for future tickets and independents. Think of this election as a dress rehearsal. I do not share the pessimism of Mungo re future elections under the present voting system. Despite that, the lobbying for a postal voting system must continue unabated.
One step back and two steps forward - Mon Aug 31 22:49:11 1998

Monica's dress has been found. It is currently being tested.
Starr - Mon Aug 31 23:47:04 1998

Panther love - tickets and parties are already well and truley with us. Only you and Bruce Pollack (the returning officer) don't seem to want to accept that fact. Perhaps the two of you would be better off finding a fiary story somewhere where you can spend the rest of your life as gumnut babies. You might find that more delightful and comforting than the real world of Mardi Gras.
Isn't life a bitch - Mon Aug 31 23:56:25 1998

Isn't one way of 'other' ticket candidates improving their chances of getting on the board by running together with a total of 14 candidates? So, it will eliminate the nature urge for members to vote for 14 candidates and dilute their vote - because now they can vote all 14 without voting for incumbus. Maybe tickets of 14 should be run next year. Will that work?
'independents' should get together! - Tue Sep 1 1:41:37 1998

Yes, provided 1. all the anti-incubus voters out there stick strictly to the alternative ticket, vote for everyone on it and not deviate from it, and 2. there are more anti-incubus voters than incubus voters.
Alas my love, you do me wrong ... - Tue Sep 1 2:03:47 1998

From the attacks thrown at the board. I don't know why anyone would want to be on the job. It is seems a thank less job. (Though Bev was thanked - that was nice!). What is in it for quality candidates (the are volunteers arent they?) to run if all members do is go for the jugula?
S&M people are best candidates - Tue Sep 1 2:11:46 1998

Are there any stains on Monica's dress?
just wondering - Tue Sep 1 2:48:27 1998

I voted for all the encubent ticket, because I was told to do just that - 'don't give them an sympathy votes'. However, because Cris Townley wasn't in even at the AGM (nor did she submit a profile to Star) I voted for Happy. My vote got her in (ah, don't we all what to claim that?). I am glad she got in. I know for a fact that David M was scared of the opposition to the point of desparately searching, asking, almost begging for proxies. With hide sight, I was stupid, I voted for people on the incumbent ticket that I did not ever know who they were! I should have voted for other people that I knew would do a good job, and knew personally - eg Mathew Hua, Michael Gray. I didn't realise it would be such a clean sweep (nearly)!
Supporting David M. & D & D - Tue Sep 1 2:57:10 1998

Liar liar - it was my vote that got her in !!!!!
This could go on forever - Tue Sep 1 7:34:46 1998

I've never heard of the word 'incubus' before (I've heard of incumbent though). Looked it up and Oxford dictionary defines incubus as 1. demon 2. nightmare 3 person or thing that oppresses.
What a great adjective - Tue Sep 1 7:49:04 1998

Life as a Bitch: During elections there are tickets. These are not parties. As far as I know, once the election is over the board works together as a whole, not necessarily with consensus on every item, but that is to be expected. Even The Ticket contains new people who haven't been on the board before. Rigorous debate (I agree that this is desirable) doesn't need parties to organise party lines, it just needs people who can speak for and against.
Panther - Tue Sep 1 8:52:36 1998

Of course the ticket contains new people. The point is, they have been chosen by the incubus and their powerbrokers - not by the membership. And they owe their position on the board to that invitation. The fact is, the system doesn't allow people who don't get the call to be elected. Which means the Board doesn't represent the whole membership - it only represents part of it - in this case less than half. Of course the Board works together as a whole - they were all on the one ticket! Why shouldn't it be possible for people elected on different tickets, and representing differ viewpoints within Mardi Gras to still work together after the election. It was McLachlan and his familiars who said a hybrid board would be unworkable. Not the anti-incubus. In fact, the 12 alternative candidates were able to get together sufficiently to take a joint advert in the SSO - and they publicly committed to working together. Only McLachlan raised the prospect of unworkability. And that's because he doesn't believe in inclusiveness - despite all his rhetoric - he doesn't want to share power. He wants to keep absolute control. perhaps, if he and his group are the obstacle to a mixed but workable board, the solution is to get rid of the lot of them.
Life's a bitch - Tue Sep 1 9:35:21 1998

Maybe.
Starr - Tue Sep 1 12:05:10 1998

Yes, I agree with Mungo on this one. Many people I have spoken to since the AGM have said how they voted for 6 of the McL team and 4 - 6 independants to get a good mix of experience and new blood on the board - without realising that this was in effect negating the effect of their vote. I think that we have all come to realise since the AGM that the current board always decides who will be on the next board - and isn't it 'nice' that they take it in turns - 1 gay male, 1 lesbian, 1 gay male etc to be the president. How PC !
disenchanted - Tue Sep 1 12:37:42 1998

I hope Panther keeps this graffiti wall going at least for the next few weeks. Many smelt a rat at the AGM. Why was the debate continually gaged? What has Monica's dress got to do with all this? Is Starr on to something?
Tue Sep 1 12:51:17 1998

To what a great adjective: try 'Kafkaesque' another great adjective this time from the Macquarie...(lets have fun with words)
bunyip aristocracy! - Tue Sep 1 13:41:47 1998

The last person to get a vote like DMcL was Richard Nixon in 1972. In "The Final Days" Woosdward and Berstein sez he got 60.8 percent of the popular vote and 97 percent of the electoral vote. Remember what happened to him!!
Deep Throat - Tue Sep 1 14:18:39 1998

I just hope that anyone planning a future alternative ticket or running as an independent is not disheartened by the Saturday night result. I have no doubt that with a bit of 'community education', everyone will be aware of the spillage factor (that is, the effect of not limiting your vote to alternative candidates only) by next AGM. I have no doubt that the outcome would have been different this year if people had just limited their votes.
Not wanting a return to the bad old days - Tue Sep 1 15:45:20 1998

Forget Starr. Bring back Archibald Cox.
The bad old days are still here. - Tue Sep 1 17:37:46 1998

I think incubus and encumbent are both correct in this situation, but I fear that some posters have no idea what the terms mean.
Tue Sep 1 17:58:03 1998

I agree that D McLs comment about a mixed board being unworkable was pure arrogance. That, as well as his comments about the ticketing issue, turned me off him.

Next time we need to spell out exactly and loudly how to vote to maximise the vote for a particular person/group. If you look back on this wall alone you will see different opinions.
Panther - Tue Sep 1 19:48:44 1998

Yes, there are stains on Monica's dress - Beluga caviar and brie stains from the Mardi Gras sandwich shop. But they may not be the only ones.
Starr's in your eyes - Tue Sep 1 23:55:00 1998

The first meeting of the new Board is on this Wednesday night at 7pm and the Mardi Gras office in Erskinville. Apparently, it will be a getting to know each other meeting - including directors indicating interest for sub-committees. e.g. parade, fair-day, festival, party...are there other sub-committtees?
Wed Sep 2 2:37:27 1998

Is there a plan to suss out this new board? Are there going to pick on Happy Ho? Or just leave her out of the picture completely or something?
Wed Sep 2 3:44:58 1998

Perhaps the board may like to consider Political issues as opposed to PC, Youth, legal relationships, member concerns, future direction, acountability and responsibility to the community and lastly, a review of its election procedure to include everyoneofus.(for starters :)
"and get rid of all the dead wood" - Wed Sep 2 4:04:43 1998

To Panther - David McLachlan wasn't being arrogant. He was just trying to protect Mardi Gras from a bunch of inexperienced people who were only interested in running their own political agendas. By inviting people to join his ticket, he was guaranteeing that the people elected to the Mardi Gras Board would be people who shared the same vision for Mardi Gras as him, and wouldn't be causing dissension by wanting to argue a different point of view from him all the time, and wasting Mardi Gras' time with trivial questions about hthings like accounts, private VVIP rooms at the party and things that aren't there business, allegations of favoritism in the way DJs are chosen, whjo gets to go in the shows and so on. That kind of rubbish just causes conflict and divides the community. So what if David's group didn't even get 50% of the vote? I think we should all get right behind him now and help him go in the best direction for Mardi Gras.
He's sooooo sexy, that I'd be Stuart if he'd let me. - Wed Sep 2 8:14:43 1998

Whether you voted for this board or not, they won the election fair and square according to the rules. Lets give them a chance. If you don't like the rules, convince the rest of us that they need changing. Suggestion: get postal voting in first without any other change. Too much change at once doesn't work.
Panther - Wed Sep 2 8:44:44 1998

The Communist Party in the old Soviet Union, Suharto in Indonesia, Idi Amin, Ferdinand Marcos in the Phillipines, Botha in the former South Africa, joh in Queensland etc etc etc all won elections fair and square according to the rules.
Wed Sep 2 12:20:44 1998

This is a message for Mungo McCareless : please contact the Star on 9380 5577. We'd like to put your anaylsis in print!
D.O'Grady (ed) - Wed Sep 2 13:30:39 1998

Ain't nobody gonna pick on Happy Ho. She won't let them.
Wed Sep 2 17:06:53 1998

oh Mandy, Mandy what have you done? You've offended the ruler of earth, moon and sun. For he has declared to those under his thumb That you are to be treated like a pain in the bum And he has decreed to those in the know That you are to be the very first to go And that you are from the board to be cast out Even though you might have thought you were last out So Mandy, dear Mandy you are on your own Thanks to the command from behind the dark throne So be prepared - and watch for your back Because there'll be no warning of the attack But do not despair, some might throw you a rope Just look around you, for you might just find hope So calm, dear mandy, just heed this warning Because there could be a new day dawning.
Rimes and times - Wed Sep 2 18:48:33 1998

To D.O'Grady (ed) - best you look at the copyright information for this page... and ask the right person for permission to print!
Spanner - Wed Sep 2 19:42:45 1998

Thanks Spanner. The print press has a bad habbit of printing things from Pinkboard and filling up whole pages without even sending an email to ask for permission.
Panther - Wed Sep 2 20:24:57 1998

All Mardi Gras committees will be looking for members soon, lets see how many candidates who did not get elected offer their passion and comitment to one of the many committees, (which in many ways have a greater scope to change MG) such as Fair, Parade, Festival, Admin or Party over the next few months.
Wed Sep 2 21:55:59 1998

Spanner and Panther: last time we ran something from Pinkboard was ahead of this year's Mardi Gras, and we OKed it with you first. If Mungo has something he wants to say in print, aint that up to him … and in the spirit of free information flow
O"Grady from the Star - Wed Sep 2 22:06:50 1998

I find it so amazing that david mcl has been drawn and quartered even before the new board has done anything. You sydney queens are such a vicious lot when it comes to democracy. At least you are able to get a vote on the new cocktail set to rule over all of sydney town and therefore all of us. Sydney I'm afraid to say is not the whole country, nor the whole world.Yet we regional dwellers have to listen or read to patriachal bullshit from the sell absorbed, self named ruling elite of the sydney cocktail set and there dominions. May mardi gras reign supreme and may the cocktail set finally realise that sydney is the capital of nsw, not nsw.
regional queen.....by the way did monica swallow or spit it out - Wed Sep 2 22:17:16 1998

She swallowed, held it for a while, then spat it out later.
Thu Sep 3 1:22:05 1998

It was so big Monica almost gagged. "The stains, the stains, the stains....." It went all down the front of her nice new blue dress. Luckily, Monica had a closet full of new dress. "I'll just slip into something a little more comfortable." Effortlessly she stepped out of the blue dress and kicked it into the corner with all the other used dresses. She hurriedly scribbled on the things to do list (for the 7 time) - Dry Cleaner.
deepest throat - Thu Sep 3 1:43:11 1998

Okay- this is complex...Bills load was so full of Presidential repousse that she 'chokedamp'."hense the blue dress"
...as in golddigger... - Thu Sep 3 2:06:21 1998

Good luck trying to get onto a committee - especially if you have already shown that you aren't in 100% agreement with everything the MG board stand for.
Thu Sep 3 9:43:24 1998

Good luck trying to get onto a committee - especially if you have already shown that you aren't in 100% agreement with everything the MG board stand for.
Thu Sep 3 9:44:48 1998

Why should the Board let all these failed candidates onto a committee? If the membership had've wanted them to be involved in Mardi Gras, they would've elected them to the Board. And they didn't. They chose the Board they wanted. So why let all these trouble makers onto committees where they will create conflict and dissenshion? Mardi Gras has enough to do getting on Sleaze Under The Stars. The last thing it needs is a bunch of malcontents with their different viewpoints and points of order and alternative proposals. The committees are there to help the various directors - Party, Festival, Fair Day and so on - who know what needs to be done - not to cause them grief and get in their way. Take party for example. Do we really want a bunch of no hopers interfering with Gary leeson and his wunnerful brilliant plans for the party. It's not what the members want.
Let the Board get on with the job - there only volunteers - Thu Sep 3 9:55:40 1998

The guarantee of different viewpoints is nothing but Healthy.
Time to back the Board...Regardless! - Thu Sep 3 12:37:12 1998

Did Monica wear the blue dress before or after? Is Starr attempting to get an answer to this question?
Thu Sep 3 12:54:03 1998

Monica couldnt read her scribbled note and took the President to the cleaners instead.
blow for blow - Thu Sep 3 12:58:08 1998

How dare you say that they are "only volunteers". It is "only volunteers" that keep all community organistaions going. Without their help I would suggest that you would be sitting at home on October 3rd - on your own.
"only a volunteer" - Thu Sep 3 13:49:04 1998

Only volunteers indeed! Where the f**k do you think Mardi Gras would be today without volunteers? Unfortunately these days there are A list volunteers with big career ambitions, and the rest of the riff raff who don't get any of the glamour, just the hard work.
Thu Sep 3 16:33:38 1998

A (groan) technical but I think important, question. Now that the Board has asked the membership to remove the auditor and appoint a new one, but that was voted down at the AGM, does the Board now need to call a special general meeting and have it voted on again? If so, I hope the whole truth about Andrew Delahunt's "sacking" (as described in today's Star) and MG's accountkeeping - which is sounding more and more suspicious - will be revealed so the membership can make an informed decision...what exactly has gone on?!
Fastlove - Thu Sep 3 17:00:28 1998

The Starrrrr is nothing more than a vicious scandal shitsheet out to undermine the new and popularly elected board. Its always the first to cum running for free passes to the Guest bar and complimentary party tickets. Just as it is always the first to complain when it doesn't get stories handed to it on a plate. Now its showing its ingratitude with beatups about nonentities and that sewer of sludge that it claims is a gossip column.
Thu Sep 3 18:17:55 1998

Dear Vanessa McWoodward - Do I see a flowerpot with a red flag stuck in it on your rear balcony? Ref also P63 ATPM Futura.
Deep Throat - Thu Sep 3 19:09:43 1998

Fastlove: At the AGM they said that they now have to wait for the auditor to retire, then they can appoint a new auditor. The next AGM then gets to vote on the auditor, but a special meeting isn't needed.
Panther (also a MG volunteer) - Thu Sep 3 20:33:47 1998

Oh Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa McQ have I got something for you.
Deepest throat - Thu Sep 3 21:38:41 1998

RMW for president!!
The man on the grassy knoll - Thu Sep 3 23:30:15 1998

Fastlove/Panther. I don't think you guys quite get it. The Auditor is the members' auditor not the board's. That is why a 75% vote of the members is required to change auditors. The auditor is the members only real protection against fraud, gross misconduct, poor management practices.... He is there for the members protection. It would appear that the Dawn Fraser NRMA judgement that was quoted at the agm was correct. When the members recieved the notice papers for the agm they should also have been informed of the reasons why the auditor was being removed. There are more questions than answers here, I think.
Fistoflove - Fri Sep 4 0:52:26 1998

Quite frankly no-name who attacks the Star, I think the paper is quite restrained. They have spent very little energy tearing strips off Mardi Gras for selling out to the Sydney Morning Herald, or New Bloody Weekly either. I wish they were *less* afraid of losing privileges and advertising, and held the organisation up to genuine and badly needed scrutiny. As for the gossip column, it's hilarious. You wouldn't be Richard Cobden by any chance … ?
More power the queer media - Fri Sep 4 1:04:55 1998

Oh Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa McQ have I got something for you. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. One step forward, two steps back. Its so hard to keep on track.
deepest throat - Fri Sep 4 1:31:45 1998

A Cobden solution- Your up there with Hanson, Nile and Ackerman!
what a vicious shithead! - Fri Sep 4 3:56:05 1998

To the man on the grassy knoll - i thought RMW had just been president!!
The other man on the grassy knoll - Fri Sep 4 8:12:31 1998

Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! There are gaps? ... Gaps? .... What gaps? ....Ooooooooh! Gaaaaaaps! oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dearordear! Ohdearohdearohdearohdear! Gaps! Ooooooooh .....oooooooh ... no i ....ooooooohhhhh. Really!? ....Well ... I suppose I am a silly duffer!
RMW - Fri Sep 4 9:08:01 1998

Who is this Richard Cobden bloke. His letter in the Star is just plain rude (crude). Can he be sued for saying thing like that?
Outraged - Fri Sep 4 12:21:24 1998

My heads spinning because i'm getting really confused. What do all these messages have to do with mardi gras? Could someone please explain what they all mean? Whats richard cobden or monicas dress got to do with the agm? i thought sleaze was meant to be weird, but all this is starting to get much weirder.
Just an ordinary member of mardi gras - Fri Sep 4 12:43:22 1998

Fistoflove - thanks, I agree that there are more questions than answers. I presume by what was said in the Star and from Panther's reply to my question that Andrew Delahunt will remain as auditor for another year. The Board felt that he wasn't up to the job - why? If he's the members' "only real protection against fraud" etc, isn't that judgement up to us? So where is the information on whether he is or isn't? And what does he really think of the Board/administration's financial management? (Including making decisions like the Ticketek deal without consulting the membership). As for the so-called sacking, "Did he fall or was he pushed...?" More digging from the Star would be good...
Fastlove - Fri Sep 4 16:32:16 1998

Fastlove - I think your starting to get the picture.
Fistoflove - Fri Sep 4 19:03:53 1998

Here is some aspirin girls and boys :)
Lee - Fri Sep 4 19:06:00 1998

Pray for Monica's Baby. The egg has been sat on for nearly a week and its about to hatch.If u think there has been some weird shit about wait till you see whats comming.The AGM was choir practise.
mark - Fri Sep 4 21:00:46 1998

It's my understanding that if Delahunt *doesn't* want to continue as Auditor, he can resign and be replaced by the Board without any need for a Special General Meeting, which plays into their hands nicely. If he continues as Auditor and they still want to remove him, they'll need to call an SGM, give reasons why, and still need 75% of those present to approve.
Poo sticks - Fri Sep 4 21:17:33 1998

...But what about the "independent" investigation into the fraudulent Auditor's report? Such a shame it wasn't completed in time to present to the members at the AGM. Are there any fans of "Yes Minister" out there???
Poo sticks - Fri Sep 4 21:19:58 1998

"Where directors take it upon themselves to urge or recommend or advise members to exercise their powers in general meeting in a particular way, they are in general required to make a full and fair disclosure of all matters within their knowledge which would enable the members to make a properly informed judgment on the matters in question: see generally Bulfin v Bebarfald's Ltd (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 423, the cases therein cited and the other cases cited by Young J in Devereux Holdings Pty Ltd v Pelsart Resources NL (No. 2) (1985) 9 ACLR 956." Gee! It's all so much harder than knocking back insurance claims, isn't it!?!?!!
Thank God I'm not a lawyer. - Fri Sep 4 23:26:10 1998

Does this mean the people on the Mardi Gras board should have told us members why they wanted to sack the auditor when they told us they wanted to sack the auditor? What does it mean for them because they didn't tell us?
Gee, am I dumb or what? - Sat Sep 5 0:41:46 1998

To Mark- What tune are you playing?
Sat Sep 5 3:53:09 1998

Dateline Washington: The FBI today confirmed that the sperm on Monica's black cocktail dress are indeed Bill's. However, the sperm are refusing to cooperate with the investigation, and will appear before the Grand Jury next week.
Lee - Sat Sep 5 5:45:40 1998

Mark could be playing many tunes eg: "I'm goin' to sit right down and write myself a letter" ... or "Only Make Believe" ... "Three coins in a fountain" ... or "It's better the devil you know" ... or "Locomotion ... Loco motion ... low commotion" or ... "Dancin' queen" or ... "Puppet on a string" or "It's my party, I'll cry if I want to"...
Mardi Gras greatest hits - Sat Sep 5 8:55:02 1998

I am playing my own tune---it's called "Requiem for a president"
mark x - Sat Sep 5 10:07:58 1998

oh Warwick, oh Warwick what did you do? You've landed your colleagues all in the poo. You thought you were clever you thought you were smart, giving The Prince a head ... start. But the prince is a prat and not very bright and under the thumb of the lord of the night. You thought he could do it, he could see it through, but now he has landed in deep doggy do. The sad thing, he's thick, so he doesn't know it yet or the dangers of being the dark one's pet. For the dark one may raise him and praise him, but it will be left to others to glaze him.
Still more to cum - Sat Sep 5 10:26:16 1998

oh Bevvy, Oh Bevvy how nice to retire, while leaving behind a smouldering fire. For the fire was still burning and leaving hot embers, although the firescreen kept it hidden from members. But someone has poked it and now sparks are flying and your former colleagues may soon be turning and frying. But you're out of the kitchen and away from the heat and free of the bitchin' and witchin' and the hot seat. So while some others slowly come to the boil, you can look back contented at your long years of toil, and wonder why there is such a fuss, So Bevvy dear Bevvy have a bevvy on us.
And even more to cum - Sat Sep 5 11:06:05 1998

A tender process in which one can have "declined to tender" without even knowing, that their job was open to tender. Ol' Soloman would have approved of that one.
Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This - Sat Sep 5 12:40:57 1998

Mardi gras election are a joke. there should be a postal vote for each member. Only a small percentage of people actually voted..can you imagine if it was fair and all members voted ??? It's a case of round up your friends to waste a day at the Koala Inn. What if you live in Wagga Wagga and are a member and want to vote ??
Not fair - Sat Sep 5 15:09:25 1998

The solution is to allow members to apply for a postal vote if they cannot get to the AGM or arrange a proxy. This is the system used in parliamentary elections, and has recently been adopted by for Star Observer board elections. it meets the needs of people who are ill, live outside inner-Sydney, or who don't want to be bored shitless by sitting through points of order and meaningless speeches. And it avoids the costs of running a full postal ballot. The problem with a full postal ballot is the cost - and the real possibility that many members may still not bother to vote.
Sat Sep 5 15:31:52 1998

I have just spent a month in Sydney-during the lead up to the MG election.Sydney really lived up to its reputation.All talk among the very comfortable Surry Hills gay gentry was about the looming meeting.Everybody seemed to know everything and everyone.Some (now moustache-less clones) even talked about "being the real gays-in the top 5%".Egos were flying from Oxford to Albion St and from Flinders To Crown St-I made sure I ducked.It was definately worse than the Federal election so far.
Sat Sep 5 17:11:46 1998

What is the purpose of MardiGras(compared to78)?All the talk here is about money and sponsorships.People who watch it from afar view it as a collection of wierdos and perverts trying to be as amusing or grotesque,and a sexual freak show.The after party is seen by all gays as another(albeit large) warehouse function where the object is to consume as many drugs and f... or get f... by as many as you can.Mephisto could take lessons! PS- what has happened to ReaL gay freedom(not gay sponsors).
Sat Sep 5 17:32:06 1998

What a bunch of whinging losers. How undemocratic electing the 14 people with the most votes. How unfair particularly in the face of a Tool Shed funded campaign of pork barrel promises and misogyny. Perhaps just perhaps the members have spoken and the 14 best candidates got the nod. Why don't you just give them a go.
The Tim Tam Solution - Sat Sep 5 17:37:16 1998

RC strikes again!!!
Sat Sep 5 17:40:11 1998

The solution to the mardi gras problem - "demutualisation"!! It's all in today's Sydney Morning Herald's article about the NRMA. Convert each mardi gras' membership into a non-voting share, with a guaranteed divident every financial year. That'll stop all the whinging about ticketeck deals, ticket prices, sell outs to fairfax, murdoch, penguin and everyone else. Instead the members - sorry, shareholders will be clamoring for even more deals with outside corporations so as to increase their dividends. And we should be able to guarantee that a decent board will be permanently in control without any risk of whingers, ratbags, no hopers or other malcontents ever getting elected. Instead the board itself would decide who its members are. I might even be prepared to go back on it!
You betcha I'm serious - Sat Sep 5 19:32:15 1998

Oh Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa McQ have I got something for you. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. One step forward, two steps back. Its so hard to keep on track. Sniff, sniff. Sniff, sniff. Sniff, Sniff. Like a pig of the hunt, a truffle or TWO you may find. The chef's first born has never been christened, keep firmly in mind. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. One step forward, two steps back. Its so hard to keep on track. Its to the glowing terms that I refer. Point of order, point of order… if you prefer. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. One step forward, two steps back. Clickity clack, front and back.
deepest throat - Sun Sep 6 3:48:08 1998

Tim Tam Solution - The first past the post system was the system that allowed Margret Thatcher to govern for so many years with well under 50% of the vote. You should check out Mungo's analysis above. The new board was elected by less than 50% of the members who did cast a vote. I also don't think anyone is whining - it just a healthy debate (although I don't quite get the cryptic messages). Perhaps this is the debate Mardi Gras has to have. Also during the campaign I didn't notice any 'pork barrelling'(incumbent governments are usually the only ones who can pork barrell) or misogyny from any of the candidates. However, I heard a rumour that a number of drags were told "we cast you in the shows so you better give us your proxies."
Fistoflove - Sun Sep 6 13:45:44 1998

You Betcha I'm serious- It started with a Riot for homosexual legal rights(among others)! That should always be its Paramount governing Force. Your extreme lack of wisdom suggests that you were never a suitable candidate in the first place...Your a prime reason for changes to the election procedure.
still a long road ahead! - Sun Sep 6 16:10:49 1998

I would love to know why Richard Cobden thinks Bev Lange was so 'mediocre'. I remember last year's AGM when his mate, Susan Harben (where was she this year? surely she could have afforded an airfare from Melbourne)was singing the praises of the Lange Board and Lange herself. Does his outcry also mark a rift with Susan? No former prez is safe.
I'm thinking of moving to Double Bay, changing my name by depol to Richard /cobden and writing letters to the Star - that would be weird - Mon Sep 7 10:54:41 1998

Indeed. His letter would appear to imply that this has been a Cobden coupe, and hardly bloodless.
Mon Sep 7 18:34:06 1998

Richard Cobden - the Paul Keating of Mardi Gras.
Time to take the Paris option - Tue Sep 8 1:11:03 1998

Oh Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa McQ have I got something for you. ... Wonder who will cop the flack. "Look here, we'll just iron that kink." "Oh my god what have we done! The food processor in Ms Singlink's kitchen's gone quite bung!" "We're gunna be hung!" "If we loose our heads, we'll all be sprung!" Around, around the Mardi-go-round. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. One step forward, two steps back. Its so hard not to crack. "Stick together or we'll never get back." "We might all get the sack!" Around, around the Mardi-go-round. Around, around the Mardi-go-round. One step forward, two steps back. Wonder who did crack? Oh Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa McQ have I got something for you.
deepest throat - Tue Sep 8 3:09:18 1998

New election perhaps?? We have been waiting for the truth about MardiGate '98 - maybe this week?? Those who are responsible for the affair must be removed or, if this is not possible due to some clever wording, totally and finally discredited and banished to Paris forever!
Time for the Truth - Tue Sep 8 14:17:28 1998

Trivia time - Has Richard cobden ever written a letter to Capital Q ? On the topic of Cap Q (aka the party boy paper) - their coverage of the AGM was virtually non-existent.
Almost 2 weeks after the agm - so when's the first community meeting - Tue Sep 8 14:20:40 1998

Deepest Throat, take care, we now know you work for Capital Q!!!!! People 'lose' things darling, and they may be described as 'loose'! Better check for Cobdens under the bed.
Smoking Man - Tue Sep 8 16:38:48 1998

The Truth is out there.
Fox Mulder - Tue Sep 8 17:11:30 1998

Tue Sep 8 18:46:19 1998

Monica has entered confinement
Chicago Hope Hospital - Tue Sep 8 19:20:15 1998

It's no surprise Bev chose to drag the meeting back to order before completely answering the question posed. WAS the "no booking fee" option investigated? Like the questioner, I also resent having to pay a booking fee. If Mardi Gras no longer has to maintain an expensive and "out of date" ticketing system, they can give Ticketek a small margin from each ticket sold to replace the booking fee.
Poo Sticks - Tue Sep 8 20:29:27 1998

It never happened in my day.
The Ridgeback - Tue Sep 8 21:56:32 1998

Nor in mine
The failed candidate - Wed Sep 9 6:31:30 1998

I won't tell you whether it happened in mine.
The Vice-Regal art advisor - Wed Sep 9 6:47:02 1998

It certainly didn't happen in my day, and if it had, the people responsible would've resigned immediately.
The swimmer - Wed Sep 9 7:23:44 1998

it sort of had happened before my day, but we did everything we could to stop it from happening again.
The public servant - Wed Sep 9 8:37:17 1998

it sort of had happened before my day, but we did everything we could to stop it from happening again.
The public servant - Wed Sep 9 8:37:42 1998

If it had've happened in my day, I wouldnt've known. And if I had've known, I wouldnt'be told you.
The cultural attache - Wed Sep 9 9:25:47 1998

He who lives by the cobden dies by the cobden
The smoking man - Wed Sep 9 10:35:26 1998

My day isn't over yet!!
The insurance clerk - Wed Sep 9 12:12:55 1998

Hey, who's that? Pick your own pseudonym buddy. I was too off my face to notice whether it happened in my day.
The Original Smoking Man - Wed Sep 9 19:18:25 1998

Oh Andy, dear Andy what did you say? To make the Board what to call it a day?
When it hits the fan, it really hits - Wed Sep 9 19:35:32 1998

There has been a big leak from Mardi Gras. More details once I have had a chance to read it all.
Wed Sep 9 21:11:46 1998

Monica is in the recovery room mother and child doing well
Chigago Hope Hospital - Wed Sep 9 21:36:54 1998

Check out Monica's Blue Dress http://www.members.tripod.com/~star_si It's Hot Hot Hot
Special Investigator Star - Wed Sep 9 21:38:47 1998

I hear that there is a leak last week. Tell us more!
Nosy member - Wed Sep 9 22:32:04 1998

My favorite is Monica's red dress. Johnny Marsden sounds so butch. He can roll my head any day.
Monica's dresser - Wed Sep 9 23:14:42 1998

I have just read through the substantial set of papers that constitute this leak. They all concern problems with the audit. They include: a report from an inquiry into the audit conducted by Judith Fletcher and Peter Cook August 24-26. A confidential memo to the board by the General Manager, Mark Groggin. Notes to the inquiry from Mark Groggin, Julia Mitchell (Finance/Admin Manager). Reports from Johnny Dawson (Assistant to GM), Stephen Dunne (layed out Annual Report), Karen Caruana (Julia's assistant) and more.

There are 2 issues discussed: whether the accounts were approved by the auditor Andrew Delahunt, and whether the process of removing the auditor was carried out correctly. Finding 1: Written notification of his removal as Auditor should have been provided to Andrew Delahunt. There are significant and unexplained time lapses and inappropriate actions in the removal process. Finding 2: The 1997/98 Auditor's report should have been signed by Andrew Delahunt and correctly inserted into the Annual Report. Dates on signed documents should have been accurate. Again, there are significant and unexplained time lapses and inappropriate actions in the process of sending documentation to the Auditor for his signature and in the inclusion of documents within the Report.
Wed Sep 9 23:23:05 1998

The inquiry was conducted before the AGM yet it was reported as being in progress at the AGM. There were concerns about the process raised before the AGM but these were whitewashed at the AGM. Warwick Hart announced he had decided not to stand for President before this report was released but after the "crisis". As secretary he was responsible for the contents of the Annual Report. Mark Groggin's memo details "unacceptable behaviour" by "the lawyer". What involvement did David McLachlan have? No wonder Bev appeared to be unwell at the AGM.
Wed Sep 9 23:39:35 1998

Er, that's Mark Goggin folks. No 'r'.
Thu Sep 10 0:18:51 1998

You could make a soap opera out of mardi gras. You could call it mardi gras place or 2010. All I can gather is that the sydney cocktail set is in a spin and the plebs are making them spin further. Nothing turns a queen on more than high drama.We in the regional areas are supposed to be looking to you for direction and guidance but all we get is elitest sydney bullshit. Get over the power play and get on with the running of mardi gras. Remember that sydney is not the whole country....
regional queen - Thu Sep 10 0:53:17 1998

Regional Queen...Let's settle on Mardigrasville...and all agree to have a bale of hay viewable from our mode of lifestyle...real or imagined?
definatly your shout, the waters worse than the beer - Thu Sep 10 3:06:22 1998

Dearo dearo dear dear Prez. Seman on the dress. What neat semantics will you use to describe a blow job as not consumated when all can see ejaculation well and truly happened.
Tainta Scully - Thu Sep 10 6:41:20 1998

Oh Andy, dear Andy what did you say, to cause Mardi Gras to call it a day? What was contained in your June 9 fax that caused mardi gras to give you the axe? Were they afraid that you were going to squeal on Ticketeck, or some other deal? On conferences and consultancies and such other things, on payments to god knows who, or sandwiches for kings? And who was it who your fax did receive, and set out to hide it so to deceive the board and its kind and would be queen, oh andy, dear andy wont you come clean?
Thu Sep 10 9:54:22 1998

I relate totally to the audit inquiry. I had a time lapse at Mardi Gras party this year. I just can't remember what happened between 4 and 8 o'clock.
It's all somehow a metaphor for something - Thu Sep 10 13:29:03 1998

Has the inquiry revealed how big Delahunt's dick is?
sex obsessed - Thu Sep 10 13:42:32 1998

metaphor/ it's a noun 1.a figure of speach in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable, in order to suggest a resemblance,
what a metaphor for *forward* - Thu Sep 10 14:49:03 1998

Wow. Monica's Closet certainly is interesting. Far more interesting than the Star's three page beat up.
The (original) Smoking Man - Thu Sep 10 14:51:27 1998

o.k So Monicka's all washed up -you dirty leakers have made sure of that. What I want to know is - Who's wearing the presidential knee pads now?
Goody two shoes - Thu Sep 10 15:45:23 1998

do you dirty leakers have an agenda or do you just leak for the sake of it? If you do then how about a few decent clues.Others might start leaking too if, for example, they believed it would lead to the stripping of all the corn off the cob. Den we could start afresh.
compost bin - Thu Sep 10 17:10:16 1998

Having seen Moica's wardrobe I have dug through my own party box and found my cloggs, flaired trousers and blue satin body shirt. Oh for the '70s. It's all comming back to me. "Watergate", "the plumbers","all the president's men." I can't wait for David McLachlan to stare us in the camera with those lovely blue eyes and say "your President is not a crook."
70's Addict - Thu Sep 10 18:34:11 1998

Monica's wardrobe - the best read in years. Tickets go on sale for the public execution next week - will be hotter than a Frisky ticket.
Why not make it the 4 o'clock show at Sleaze - Thu Sep 10 19:05:04 1998

http://www.members.tripod.com/~star_si - just so you know what everyone's talking about.
Thu Sep 10 19:16:15 1998

isn't Monica's evidence always damning ?
Thu Sep 10 22:02:55 1998

How many more dresses are there in that closet? It seems there's more than one queer lawyer in Sydney who likes to throw his weight around.
Thu Sep 10 23:08:15 1998

I have read all in Monica's Wardrobe and have worked out the missing link. The answer is very simple - Hand in Hand party on Queen's Birthday in early June. There is a big time jump from early June to early July. Obviously all the relevant board members and Julia (fiannace manager) went to H in H and had a fabulous time. It took almost a month to come down off their drugs. The question we now want an answer to is - Julia, so who is your dealer so we can all get our stuff from him?
All so simple really - Fri Sep 11 0:23:01 1998

Surely, Julia Mitchell must resign - oops sorry - be removed.
Prez of the save Mark Goggin committee - Fri Sep 11 0:42:21 1998

Well, whatever. Nothing would suggest that Mark Goggin should resign. There's someone who keeps a very low profile and appears to do a very good job under what can only be assumed to be rather adverse circumstances. You don't see him swanning around on the cocktail cabinet circuit, unlike some much noisier and unpleasant individuals.
Fri Sep 11 2:36:23 1998

My observations re the leak. (a) I do feel that the members were misled at the AGM, both as to the progress of the inquiry and the tems of its reference. I had no idea the inquiry was also reviewing the process re removal of the auditor.

(b) Julia Mitchell appears to have a lot of explaining to do. How different things would have been if she had arranged the courier to the auditor of the signed accounts on Monday 15 June. The board had signed off the previous Saturday.

(c) John Marsden has grossly exceeded the authority of what one would normally expect from a 'company's solicitor'. His removal must be immediate.

(d) The auditor appears to have acted reasonably.

(e) Goggin also appears to have acted reasonably.
No more cover up please - Fri Sep 11 8:16:35 1998

Some info on the various fax numbers on the leaked documents. Who works at Pinpoint. Whose fax no is 92659343 etc etc.
This has only just begun - Fri Sep 11 8:42:37 1998

Don't worry Mark. If you get the sack, apply for a MG grant to pay your mortgage.
So when are you to appear in Homo Homes on sidewalk site - Fri Sep 11 8:45:26 1998

Has Monica's Closet added anything to the outcome? No. The only outcome is that more people think they are experts now, than did before. (if that's possible) But the real question should be ... Who did Monica's Closet and the attendant mailout ? Everyone is blaming ex-board, but they don't come out of it looking too good, so it's hardly them. Who are you ? You obviously have access to free/cheap photocopying. Yo seem to have paid for a number of Express Post envelopes. You have access to mail labels. You may have done at work (Staff member?) or else you are an "at home" stationery queen. You must have had easy access to the documents, so your face (and name?) must be familiar. You have an axe to grind. You clearly believe that a big conspiracy is taking place, when in fact, it seems that the report is not complete, as all the loose ends are not tied up. Isn't thins what was said? Weren't the words "in progress" used? Seems like a really big storm is being whipped up in a tiny tea cup.
Fri Sep 11 9:47:53 1998 I want to know why the staff think the board should wear it all? Who are these nameless, faceless, unelected people? It seems they refused to be interviewed, and yet it also seems they might be behind the whole fiasco in the first place. Is it the board who refuse to answer the phone? Is it the board who sell the tix? Is it the board who recommend a move to Ticketek? Or do they act on the advice of the "professional" staff?
Fri Sep 11 9:55:51 1998

All I can say to tiny tea cup is don't shoot the messenger.
Fri Sep 11 12:14:10 1998

The members were lied to or at best misled by Lange, Hart and Glazier at the AGM. If the members were given full details of the Audit Inquiry report (as per the Blue Dress fax) at the meeting, I wonder if the election outcome would have been different. I guess we will never know. To the above three former board members and to any other former board members who knew the contents of the report but chose to keep quiet, what can I say - you're all a mob of scumbags.
Fri Sep 11 14:31:41 1998

It is the responsibility & part of her job description of the Administration & Finance Manager's contract at Mardi Gras to ensure the Annual Report is accurate & delivered to members before the AGM. Julia Mitchell you f**cked up big time & now you should pay! Resign & let a real professional do the job! Also, how dare the staff at Mardi Gras refuse to be interviewed for the investigation. Mark Goggin should also resign. It's about time we got some descent staff in this place! They used to have some, but they all left for some mysterious reason. Now they refuse to answer phones, answer e-mails & now don't sell tickets. I know for a fact they still around having long morning teas paid by company funds & play solatere on their computers. Please stay tuned! All will be revealed!
Budda - Fri Sep 11 17:31:48 1998

The Administration Committee comprised the President, Secretary, Treasurer, General Manager & Finance/Administration Manager. 3 escaped with their hides by 'falling on their swords'. Once again, we, the shareholders call on the new Mardi Gras President to organise appropriate packages and replace the staff members involved. Why would the Administration Manager have holidays, and, obviously receive permission from the GM, during the Audit process at all. Total neglect of duties to the Board and Company. What are their respective salaries - $70k and $50k ??? + the assistant another 30k perhaps. So for $150k we get this sort of performance. David M has the votes to censure the Royal Family once and for all. David, please show quick and effective leadership now.
Time for the Action - Fri Sep 11 18:03:12 1998

A storm in a tea cup!!!! That is what Lord North called the Boston Tea Party........and we know how that party ended.
George Washington - Fri Sep 11 18:17:31 1998

A storm in a tea cup!!!! That is what Lord North called the Boston Tea Party........and we know how that party ended.
George Washington - Fri Sep 11 18:18:11 1998

David is *part* of the Royal Family you dolt. It will be business as usual, with sound advice from RC all the way.
The Smoking Man - Fri Sep 11 19:41:52 1998

I feel so reassured, David is taking over the "independent report". "So I will speak to the auditor, and also then go back to the staff and get any more information that I think I need from them, and then we'll need to make the decision as to whether Judith and Peter come back to do a final report, or exactly what process we need to wrap the thing up." SSO 422. So what if his conduct in the removal of the auditor is under question.
Polly Anna - Fri Sep 11 19:59:20 1998

*****Newsflash****Newsflash*****Newsflash*****Newsflash****In line with the new standards of probity, accountability and independence set by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, President Bill Clinton will personally take over and finalise the Whitewater and Monica Lewinski investigations. "If only I had David Mclachlan as a role model when this all started" President Clinton said "I'll have a chat to all the witnesses, and if I need Ken Starr any more, I'll call him in, but this time I'll stand behind him and help him hold the pen. But I will personally wrap this up."
AAP Rorters News Services - Fri Sep 11 20:52:10 1998

compost bin & Budda: Yes, you should strip the corn of the cob. Den we'll just love a well planned flaming bar-b-que - the more guests the better.
The Tea Party has only just begun - Fri Sep 11 21:50:14 1998

Now is the winter of our discontentMade glorious summer by this sun of Dave;And all the boobs that lour'd upon our spouseIn the deep bosom of Erskineville buried.Now are our wigs bound with victorious wreaths;Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;Our stren alarums changed to vulgar bleatings;Our dreadful Murrays to delightful Davids.Grim visaged Bev hath smoothed her wrinkled front:And now - instead of heading hapless board To spite the chums of fearful Patsies - She capers nimbly in her Helen's chamberAfter sadistic teasing from my boot.But I, that did not run for boardroom tricks,Nor tried to court a sickened membership:I that an rudely camp, and want law's dignityTo carp about a questionable election victory;By writing letters of vindictive vulgarity.I, that am curtailed of sense of fair proportion,Cheated of one seat by Happy Ho voters,Deformed, unfinished, sent before my timeInto the halls of Yarralumla, scarce half made up,And that so plainly and unfashionableThat dogs bark at me, as I cruise by them;Why, I, in this bland third term of Leeson,Have no delight to pass away the time,Unless be not let into the ShiftAnd descant on mine own deformity;And therefore, since I can only help my loverTo entertain you poor unfortunate gays,I am determined to prove a villainAnd hate the innocent fun of Mardi Gras.Plots did I lay, inductions dangerous,By drunken prophecies, libels and dreamsTo set my brother Warwick and the kingIn deadly hate the one against the other;And if king David be as weak and pliableAs I am waspish, coarse and petulant,This day should Glazier be closely mew'd upAbout book keeping gaffes, which say that Me,The puppet master, real president should be.
Richard the Weird - Fri Sep 11 22:18:08 1998

Check out the Sleaze Ball 98 Wall. That's where I found the above message.
Fri Sep 11 22:19:18 1998

There was no reason for the staff not being interviewed given in the report.
Fri Sep 11 22:23:29 1998

That's right. And nowhere in the report does Fletcher & Cook state that it is an interim report, that their inquiry was incomplete, that they wanted to conduct interviews etc. Quite clearly, their inquiry was completed as far as they were concerned, and everything in the report says that.
Fri Sep 11 22:33:54 1998

if you worked at Mardi Gras would you be prepared to be nterviewed when johnny Marsden (and others?) had already made their minds up as to who was guilty. Who did Marsden think he was? The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (Off with his head! Off with her head!). Also,why did the staff find it necessary to obtain legal advice and representation? Why did MarkGoggin find it necessary to appoint Peter Grogan (former Marsden employee) as his legal representative? Who paid for their legal representation? And why would you cooperate even now if people like Budda, Time for Action and the other nameless staff attacker were still hanging around Mardi Gras?
Fri Sep 11 22:41:21 1998

Peter part of the cocktail set and who sucks to Cobden and who once aspired to be president Grogan !!!!!!!!
It gets worse by the minute - Sat Sep 12 9:09:36 1998

It's not his 'turn' yet though.
Sat Sep 12 15:00:48 1998

Why is it, that Mardi Gras is open to gays and lesibans and straight people who can pretend for the evening, but openly and blantantly excludes bisexual people? How inclusive. How community based-particularly if you're bisexual, of low income ie, student, geographically isolated or dont fit the stereotypes of the body beautiful!
Cate - Sat Sep 12 18:32:58 1998

Money Money Money It's so funny in a straight mans world
Dissatisfied - Sat Sep 12 19:44:44 1998

Julia's best defences. 1. So what's an AGM? 2. I reconciled petty cash. What more do you expect me to do? 3. I thought I was saving Mardi Gras money by not couriering the accounts. 4. I couriered the accounts to Ernst & Young. 5. I'm really a gay man in a lesbian's body. I'm never on time for anything. 6. We needed to workshop the accounts one more time. After all I am a lesbian. 7. I thought it was Happy Ho's responsibility. 8. Richard Cobden made me do it. 9. Reform 98 made me do it. 10. Uluru is so nice this time of year.
Being helpful - Sun Sep 13 2:25:19 1998

Who had Board responsibility for the change of auditors? Who gave the set of instructions to Julia Mitchell? Who should checked more frequently that they were being carried out?
Sun Sep 13 7:26:37 1998

David McLachlan may be claiming he's brought a new broom to mardi gras. But everyone can now see that it still has the same old handle.
Sun Sep 13 11:43:56 1998

A horrible thought - all the leakin' and bitchin' and bitin'; all the namin' and labellin' and accusin'; all the cleverness; all the revelations; all the metaphors; indeed all the graffiti on this wall is just an unseemly stoush between unfullfilled and thwarted gay lawyers and those aligned to them. If the dirty leakers do manage to undermine or unseat the current lawyer/president will they seek to install another? For MG to be part of the community again I say keep lawyers off the board.Of course their advice will be needed from time to time. So why not not pay for them when they're needed and shut them out when they're not -as one would a slut.Get rid of them and the whole nasty, clever adversarial debate will pass like a bad wind.
compost bin II - Sun Sep 13 17:27:07 1998

'''merveilleux'
Sun Sep 13 21:41:56 1998

Lawyer bashing. Yeah Yeah!!
goody two shoes - Mon Sep 14 11:02:35 1998

There is a culture amongst community organistaions whereby anyone who "attacks" them is believed to be damaging not only the organisation itself, but the community they serve as well. Organisations such as Mardi Gras and ACON have not only survived on this premise, they have arrogantly used it to their advantage. It must have shocked Mardi Gras when so many of the members "rocked the boat". After the current Mardi Gras crisis and having had to deal with ACON Western Sydney over the last couple of years I am in danger of coming to the conclusion that you "can't fight city hall". I will be interested in watching the Mardi Gras saga and see what transpires - as for ACON I can suggest their next campaign - "F@#k safe - or you may have to deal with ACON."
Mon Sep 14 13:50:40 1998

"Thou art the worm and maggot of the law, bred in the bruised and rotten parts, and art now nourished in the same corruption that produced thee.The English law that planted first, was like the English oak, shooting its spreading arms around, to shelter all that dwelt beneath its shade; but now whole swarms of caterrpillars, like thee lawyers, lay in such clusters upon every branch that the thriving old tree now sheds infectious vermin on our heads." If the tree can't be saved it should be cut down and and a new one planted.
Dirty Leaker - Mon Sep 14 17:59:47 1998

There should be fresh elections! I voted for a 'mixed' board. I don't consider the 13 out of 14 from the incumbent board a mixed board. Now with all this coming to light: I would have just voted for the 'others'. If the report was tabled at the AGM, would you vote for the David group? Richard Knobden, David McLectuce and your little orgy of offels have messed with us members for long enough. Now, have the decency to call for fresh elections.
I'm all for a public hanging - Tue Sep 15 1:27:20 1998

boring!boring! boring! The dirty leakers seem to have run out of puff and the clever encumbents at MG are doing nothing to fan the flames themselves. Chemically enhanced good times are about to consume the constituency for another summer and the MG Board's performance will be measured against the level of good times at Sleaze.It's time to whitewash this Wall and get on with the show.
Tue Sep 15 12:40:13 1998

boring!boring!boring! Im with you BABY! But.. dont judge the new board on Sleaze - not fair! Sleaze is the fundraiser for Mardi Gras.
nobody - Tue Sep 15 20:06:13 1998

Don't judge the new board on Sleaze !!! The new board is sleaze.
Wed Sep 16 14:11:41 1998

The new board really has nothing to do with Sleaze. All the planning for Sleaze started a long time ago, while the old board was still there.
Panther - Wed Sep 16 20:14:53 1998

The debate continues ...

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