The 2009 Girlfest event gave lesbians of all ages from across the country one final hurrah as its organisers take a break for 12 months.
More than 1000 travelled to Queensland’s Hyatt Coolum resort for four days of hi-jinx, poolside entertainment and the chance to mingle with other lesbians and bisexual women.
Over three days, couples, singles and solo travellers alike enjoyed five-star accommodation, a relentless program of social activities and an entertainment line-up to rival any mainstream straight festival.
The event kicked off with a gala comedy night hosted by It Takes Two star, Julia Morris and featuring popular stand-ups Fiona O’Laughlin and Hannah Gadsby.
For Saturday and Sunday, the resort’s main pool was transformed from a family retreat to a lesbian oasis, with a main stage set up for bands, singers and performers including Deni Hines and Christine Anu, Mia Dyson and Elvis impersonator, She’s the King. The resort’s bars carried on the action throughout each night.
Organiser Nicci Madden, who has now produced four Girlfests including two at the current venue, says her main goal is to create a quality, yet inclusive event.
She made several additions this year. Key among these was the Solos Club, where singles and women who came on their own could meet others without having to break into a clique of others who travelled to the event together.
Activities included the sell-out speed dating nights and happy hour gatherings at one of several bars within the resort. Madden says this idea was borne from feedback from guests.
‘Over the four years of doing Girlfest we have had a lot of women that have come on their own and kind of said, it was tough coming on their own and trying to meet people, and could we do something about it,’ she said.
‘One of the girls who has become a friend over the years won an Olivia Cruise in the US last year so she came back with some ideas, and I had some ideas and we put them together.’
But despite the proverbial good time had by all, over its four-year history the event has had mixed financial success. The cost of hiring a five-star venue puts extra strain on outlay when expected numbers – around the 1500 mark – don’t eventuate.
Madden says attendees were down this year, as was the number of 18-25 year-old attendees, which she credits down to current concerns about the global financial crisis.
She announced before the event that she would take a sabbatical in 2010.
‘We are behind the eight ball again (financially) but not as bad as previous years. I have to get to a point where I say OK, when is this unfair on my partner and I,’ she told OUTinPerth.
‘I need time to re-group and work out how to make GF work a little better for us with our marketing. By now we should easily be a 3000-5000 women event.’
Cathy Anderson
