This year, nine candidates have been nominated for four vacant Director positions on the Board of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Directors are elected for a two year term, and the successful candidates will be announced at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 29 November 2025, at the Inner West Pride Centre in Newtown.
As a Director, a successful candidate must act in the interest of the whole organisation and not in the interests of self or a third party. Being a Director is a significant responsibility that comes with legal duties and responsibilities. Members should consider this to determine who is most capable before voting for their preferred candidates.
Mardi Gras Membership
Only Mardi Gras members can vote for candidates and actively contribute to the organisation’s future. If you’re not a member, join the Mardi Gras family before Saturday, 15 November 2025 at 5:00pm (to be eligible to vote).
The Candidates
The nine candidates are all endorsed by one of two ‘rival’ community groups. Protect Mardi Gras (five candidates) is a newly formed group aiming to rival activist group Pride in Protest (four candidates).
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has also released each candidate’s statement to download (also duplicated below).
Protect Mardi Gras (PMG)
The Protect Mardi Gras (PMG) group’s candidates are experienced professionals, and all five would serve in the best interests of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (as required by a director).
PMG Vision: Mardi Gras’ strength comes from unity, visibility, and the power of bringing people together. It must remain:
- A powerful front against hate, at home and abroad
- Inclusive of all LGBTQIA+ people
- Welcoming to allies and supporters
- A celebration of diversity, not division
Read: PMG campaign FAQs
Visit: PMG’s website: protectmardigras.org
PMG endorses five candidates – listed alphabetically. Full (supplied) candidate statements follow.
- Kyriakos Gold (also a current Mardi Gras Director)
- Jarrod Lomas
- Kathy Pavlich (also a current Mardi Gras Director)
- Savanna Peake
- Shane Sturgiss
A post shared by Protect Mardi Gras (@protectmardigras)
Kyriakos Gold
Note: Also a current Mardi Gras Director – seeking re-election to the Board
Pronouns: He/Them
First appointed to the SGLMG Board through a merit-based process and later elected by members, I’ve helped steer the organisation through one of the most complex periods in its history, rebuilding trust, strengthening governance, and restoring accountability. I believe our community deserves transparency and courage from its board, not silence or spin.
I bring lived experience as a culturally and linguistically diverse, Autistic, nonbinary person, and more than two decades of connection to SGLMG as a volunteer, researcher and Director.
My professional background spans governance, law, business, media, and community engagement. I’ve produced major public events such as Victoria’s Multicultural Festival, advised governments, and led projects that unite community and institutions around shared purpose.
Awarded by NSW Parliament, inducted in the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, twice a Telstra Best of Business top5 finalist, I bring both lived experience and proven leadership to SGLMG. As an Australian lawyer (non-practising) with a Juris Doctor, Executive MBA, and PhD research focused on social impact, including SGLMG as a case study, I lead with evidence, ethics, and conviction. I’m running again to complete the reform work we started and ensure SGLMG remains fearless, transparent, and representative of the full diversity of our community.
Find out more at kyriakosgold.com.au
A post shared by Kyriakos Gold (@kyriakosgold)
Jarrod Lomas
Pronouns: He/Him
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, we’re at a crossroads. Rising costs, operational pressures and political distractions are putting the future of our festival and the unity of our community at risk. It’s time to get back to what matters.
I bring a decade of experience across government, business and community, leading operations, communications and stakeholder engagement that deliver real outcomes. As President of the Pride Business Association (NSW), I have championed initiatives that create opportunity, visibility and connection for LGBTQIA+ people across Sydney and beyond. I also serve on the Board of the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation and volunteer with organisations across our community.
I turn up and show up because progress doesn’t just happen during one festival. It is built 365 days a year through inclusion, empowerment and collaboration.
I will bring capability, transparency and a relentless focus on community to the Board. Together, we can make Mardi Gras stronger, sustainable and importantly, truly for everyone. Delivering Progress, Together.
Find out more at jarrodlomas.com
A post shared by Jarrod Lomas (@jlo_aus)
Kathy Pavlich
Note: Also a current Mardi Gras Director – seeking re-election to the Board
Pronouns: She/Her
Elected to the Board in 2023, I served as Co-Chair during the most recent Mardi Gras season. With over 30 years of involvement across all aspects of the organisation, I have worked to strengthen financial sustainability, deepen community engagement, and reinforce governance and operational foundations.
As an older lesbian woman who has worked and volunteered with Mardi Gras since 1989, I am passionate about contributing to the organisation’s future direction and upcoming 50th anniversary. My long community involvement has fostered strong connections that will support inclusive and forward-looking discussions about our future.
Professionally, I am a respected security, risk management, and governance specialist, bringing a deep understanding of safety and risk in the context of major events.
I strongly support modernising our Constitution while maintaining connection to our history and community roots. I believe my experience and relationships across our community will help the Board navigate upcoming discussions around constitutional and potential name changes.
My decades of event, community, and governance experience have given me broad insight into what sustains successful, inclusive organisations. I am eager to continue sharing my skills and passion to help guide Mardi Gras into its next exciting chapter.
A post shared by Protect Mardi Gras (@protectmardigras) and Kathy Pavlich (@katpavlich)
Savanna Peake
Pronouns: She/Her
I’m standing for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board because our community deserves leadership that reflects who we are. I’m a proud lesbian woman who knows what it means to fight to be seen, heard and a woman who knows how to get things done. I was deeply concerned last year at the AGM when no women were elected to the Board, and decided if I wanted that to change, I had to be willing to put myself forward to stand up, represent and provide a voice for those currently not feeling heard by the current representation on the Board – the women of Mardi Gras.
In 2025, I stood as Labor’s candidate for Wentworth because I believe women and our LGBTIQA+ community deserve a seat at every table, in our Parliament and on the Mardi Gras Board. I’ve spent my career standing up for equality and inclusion, from championing the NSW Equality Bill in 2024 to years on the ground running Mardi Gras parade floats as well as in my work as a public educator empowering young LGBTIQA+ students to live their lives authentically without fear.
I bring experience in government, policy and governance, through Board roles with the Pride Business Association, Women’s Legal Service NSW, QTOPIA and as a Convenor of Rainbow Labor NSW. As a public educator, union organiser and activist, I’ve always fought to empower people to live authentically and to make their voices count and that’s exactly what I’ll bring to the Mardi Gras Board. Skill, experience and dedication to represent you and to work collaboratively to make Mardi Gras the best it possibly can be, in unity.
Mardi Gras was built by activists, our cherished 78ers who stood up, fought for us and worked together to make Mardi Gras what it is today.
I want to honour that legacy by keeping Mardi Gras strong, united and inclusive. I’m running with Protect Mardi Gras because our Board must reflect our full diversity — more women, more lesbians and more diversity.
A post shared by Savanna Peake (@savannapeake_)
Shane Sturgiss
Pronouns: He/Him
I am a proud gay Aboriginal cis gendered man, with family connections to Ngarigo and Gundungurra lands in Carwoola and Queanbeyan NSW. I have been an active member of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi gras since 2020. My lived experiences as an Aboriginal member of the LGBTQIASB+ community have shaped my commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and creating safe spaces where diverse voices are celebrated.
Having held positions as a Senior Executive within the LGBTQIASB+ sector, I have either been responsible for, assisted in or experienced the following elements of community engagement:
- Creation of First Nations Circle at Fair Day
- Production of First Nations elements of the Mardi gras festival in 2025
- Creation of the First Nations LGBTQIASB+ health and wellness weekend camp
- Creation and facilitation of the First Nations Caucus and Global First Nations Caucus for the 2023 World Pride Human Rights Conference.
Throughout my personal and professional life, I have actively contributed to initiatives that promote equity and visibility for marginalised communities. I believe my background, cultural heritage, governance knowledge and strategic planning experiences would bring valuable perspectives to the Board, helping to further the Mardi Gras legacy of empowerment, celebration, and social change.
A post shared by Shane Sturgiss (@ssturgiss)
Pride in Protest (PiP)
Pride in Protest (PiP) is a group of activists is using AGM votes to push an exclusionary agenda.
They want to ban LGBTQIA+ police, politicians and sponsors at Mardi Gras. And for some reason have mixed genocide and the Palestine saga into the Mardi Gras board nominations conversation.
The candidates do not appear to offer a depth of experience for this significant responsibility. Given the nature of their broad spectrum protesting, and exclusionary agenda, it’s hard to envision candidates acting in good faith in the charity’s best interests.
Visit: PiP’s links: linktr.ee/PrideInProtest
PiP endorses four candidates – listed in the order PiP request that members vote. Full (supplied) candidate statements follow.
A post shared by Pride in Protest (@pride.in.protest)
Luna Choo
Pronouns: She/They
My name’s Luna Choo 朱露娜, and I’m a trans asylum seeker. I’m an activist in Pride in Protest and a queer organiser for trans justice and a free Palestine.
I’m running for the board representing local queers who, amidst anti-trans violence and Palestinian genocide, are fighting for a world free of transphobic bigotry and racism.
I’ve found the power of communities in parties and on the streets. With the queer community I’ve campaigned for passing the Equality Bill in full, publicly spoke against the detention of other trans refugees, and organised queer contingents to pro-Palestine protests.
Last Mardi Gras I was threatened with deportation over Palestine solidarity. With the union movement and other activists, the queer community successfully fought against my deportation.
These were the same queers whom I’ve worked with, and will always work with, to demand our equal rights and the liberation of trans youth, queer Arabs, everyone.
Our collective liberation means we:
- cut ties with genocide,
- end police violence, and
- demand full equality – no exceptions!
Alyss Cachia
Pronouns: She/They
I’m Alyss Cachia, a proud Trans Woman and queer activist, fighting for a Mardi Gras we’re all proud of and can see ourselves in, not just a stream of corporate advertisements.
In my role as the Queer Officer of the University of New South Wales I personally campaigned for UNSW’s return to the parade, and for this platform to be more than just an ad. In this role and as a member of Pride in Protest I have campaigned for queer rights including the fight for Equality in Full. Having gone through the religious school system, it was shocking to see the gutting of discrimination law reform as the Equality Bill was passed in parts.
I believe in a left-wing vision of Mardi Gras through demanding equality in FULL, opposing police violence and divesting from genocide. I support the inclusion of victims of police, religious and colonial violence.
We cannot stand to continue this legacy of violence and instead must champion our opposition to this Violence.
Instagram: @alyss.anarchy
Miles Carter
Pronouns: He/She
Hi, I’m Miles Carter. I’m a passionate gender non-conforming person born and raised on Bidjigal Land, and an aspiring musician undertaking a music composition diploma at TAFE.
For the past year, I’ve been visiting Villawood immigration detention and doing my best to support the trans women who have been detained, including Giigii who remains. While we can celebrate that many of our sisters inside have been successfully released from immigration detention, the fight continues.
I believe Mardi Gras has an important ongoing role in confronting systemic oppression, especially of First Nations mob, who resist colonial occupation and incarceration. ‘Stop Police Attacks – On Gays, Women And Blaks’ remains as relevant as it did in 1978.
Mardi Gras’ failure to publicly commit to the BDS movement needs to change. We must disavow pinkwashing and disrupt the war profiteering of Israeli apartheid. This year’s Bondi Beach Party is being produced by promoter company, Fuzzy, owned by KKR, with major investments in the illegal occupation of Palestinian land; we need to be clear there’s no Pride in genocide!
Instagram: @epicormic_bud
Tala Ka (Carlos Badelles-Agito)
Pronouns: he/she/they (out of drag); she/her (in drag)
I am a Filipino Drag performer using my drag in solidarity and to uplift LGBTQIA+ and POC Communities.
Thanks to the 1978 Mardi Gras Parade Protest, and the work thereafter of the 78ers and queer activists, I am privileged to openly both perform drag, and be queer. Due to the hard fought for protections for queer people being under attack globally, and the ongoing genocide of First Nations people in Palestine and here in so-called Australia, I am running to see an empowered Mardi Gras parade. A Mardi Gras that takes back, and utilises its strength as the global symbol of queer liberation, resistance, and protection.
As a member of Pride in Protest and City of Sydney for Palestine, it is my love for the LGBTQIA+ community and culture in addition to my lived experiences as a queer person of colour, that makes me committed to a Mardi Gras that stands up to institutionalised violence, discrimination, and Pinkwashing, and uses its global status to take a stand against genocide.
A post shared by Tala Ka (@tala_ka.x)
Author’s Note
Note: Andrew, the author of this article, is a member of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
