sydney mardi gras announces loss
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board this week warned that they faced a loss of more than $ 500,000 for the 2001-02 financial year and were appealing to members and supporters to make donations to ensure the continuation of Mardi Gras.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board this week warned that they faced a loss of more than $ 500,000 for the 2002-02 financial year and were appealing to members and supporters to make donations to ensure the continuation of Mardi Gras.
The board said the losses were the result of a significant decrease in revenue from party and festival ticket sales, a decrease in overseas visitor numbers, and a falloff in advertising and sponsorship income. At the same time they have faced significant increases in public liability insurance costs and rent.
Mardi Gras is due to celebrate it's 25th anniversary next year, but faces an uphill battle given community reaction to the huge loss, and the competition the Sleaze Ball faces this year from the Gay Games which are being held in Sydney this year.
The board has indicated that they will pull back from organising large scale events during the year and focus instead on its core events - the parade and party and Fair Day, but Mardi Gras would continue to act as an umbrella under which others would continue to organise arts, music, theatre, sport and other events.
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