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Two successful events following this year's parade and the decision to engage an event management company to stage Fairday have left Pride WA's finances in good shape at the end of the festival according to Co-President Andrew Baietta.
The organisation lost over $50,000 in 2007 and was $36,000 in debt following the 2007 festival.
Mr Baietta said the committee was
hoping to be in a position to repay some of the loan made to Pride by
Charles Denham earlier this year, which was used to cover the debts
incurred by the previous committee.
"At the moment things are looking very healthy. Income for
the year to date is up about 25 per cent on last year and expenses to date are
down approximately 20 per cent," Mr Baietta told GAYinWA.
"This is a great result – Pride has made a
healthy profit, which will ensure a great celebration next year for our 20th
Annual Festival."
The 2008 Fairday made a small profit. This year's event was the first to be staged by an event management company and also the first to introduce a cover charge.
Mr Baietta said all the stakeholders were happy with the outcome for Fairday.
"We are extremely glad that this much-loved event can now carry
its own. Everyone was very happy about the outcome," he said.
"Bringing event
managers on board resulted in a day that was run very professionally by
experienced staff who have dealt with many events like this in the past.
Independent Events are keen to build the relationship with Pride going forward."
Mr Baietta said the only negative note about the day was sounded by those unhappy about being unable to take underage children into the licensed area. He believed most people understood that the issue was one that Pride could not be resolve in a way that would satisfy all patrons as well as the legal requirements.
Two official parties were held after the parade, Reinvention at Connections Night and the L Party at the Italian Club, a women-only event.
Over 1,700 people attended the two events. Connections contributed $15,000 to Pride's coffers following the party, while $1500 was raised from the L Party.
"Connections also made a
contribution of $7,000 after the Madonna party and have provided ongoing support
by funding our strategic planning position for 2008," Mr Baietta said.
"Our relationship with
Connections is one of the major success stories of this year."
Despite lengthy queues to the inside spaces, Mr Baietta said Pride had received very few complaints to date.
"The fact that we had a
lot of entertainment going on downstairs to entertain those in the queues
definitely helped. People had a choice to either stay outside and enjoy the
entertainment under the magnificent tree or go upstairs and enjoy the dance
party vibe," he said.
"Most people understand that the regular venue is not designed for
that amount of people so we obviously can’t cater for everyone being upstairs
at the same time."
The Court Hotel, which staged a competing event, attracted over 4,000 people according to owner and manager Bree Maddox, however none of the takings will go to Pride according to Mr Baietta.
"The Court was our official sponsor for our theatre season,
paying $2,500 to Pride as part of a mutually beneficial sponsorship agreement
which was used to bring theatre groups from the east over to Perth," Mr Baietta said.
"We were
also invited to shake our tins at The Court for The Gayest Night Ever, raising
a few hundred dollars."
Mr Baietta said he understood that Pride had had ongoing issues with The Court over the venue's post-parade events for some time.
"Pride has attempted to reason with The
Court regarding the number of people delivered to The Court’s doorstep as a
result of the Parade, with little luck," he said.
"We approached The Court early in 2008 floating the idea
of joining forces on Pride night, however The Court was unwilling to make a
solid financial commitment, so we focused our energy and attention on other
options. However, our door remains open for future years."
Mr Baietta said the success of post-parade events this year had demonstrated that Pride could serve the community well regardless of other events that may be staged in competition to official events.
"From a community perspective,
it’s great that Perth has choice and a large enough community to support that
choice," he said.
"Things are looking very good for our 20th annual Pride Festival as a
result."
The management of The Court were overseas and unavailable for comment.
You can view, download and e-card Nigel and John's photos from all
Pride events, including the Great Gay & Lesbian Debate, Fairday,
Pride Parade, Pride Party, Court Street Party and Pride Womyn's Party
now in GAYinWA Photos.
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Love All will return in 2009, with organisers bringing the event
forward to February to take advantage of the guaranteed summer weather.
The 2008 Pride Parade may have been among the smallest, and certainly
the fastest in Pride's 19 years, but it remains a relevant and
important event according to this year's convenor, Charles Denham.
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theatre sessions were sold out.
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written by Kate D, November 08, 2008 - 5:55:40 pm CST
I believe for a long time that the Court has not been a gay pub like it used to be. It is now more a straight pub that is gay tolerant. Come on management of the Court - pick up your game and support the community.
written by Trent, November 11, 2008 - 7:38:59 pm CST
Great job to the committee for a fantastic year - it was the best Fair Day and Pride Party in years.
I don't understand why the Court wouldn't donate any profits made on Pride night - if it wasn't for the parade and activities run by the Pride organisation, they would miss out on one of (if not THE) busiest nights of the year. I would think it would make sense for the Court to donate takings and keep the organisation and Pride parade running, even if only for reasons of self-interest.
Regardless, it seems a bit cheeky to be making a healthy profit off a night that only exists due to the hard work and financial output of a volunteer-based organisation, and not giving anything back.
written by janice halliwell, November 15, 2008 - 7:46:03 pm CST
I refused to go to this venue after being told that entry was $50 and I asked if they need to refurbish again!
Now I find that proceeds were not shared with Pride. This venue would not have had the numbers of attendees at 'their' Pride event without all the work by the commitee in promoting and enabling the Pride Parade to continue.
SHAME, SHAME on you Bree for not supporting the community you profess to support!
Perhaps we should all bear this in mind when we want a night out but do not wish to mingle with the many straight people who now frequent the Court and tolerate the people who put the Court Hotel on the map!
Annita & Janice