January 6th, 2023They swiped right…
In our June 6, 2022 edition we announced that Daylesford was in the
running to be the home of Tinder’s Big Rainbow.
Daylesford is one of four finalists for Tinder’s Big Rainbow, the first
BIG landmark celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ Pride and inclusion.
After thousands of submissions and from more than 50 regional towns
suggested, the final towns are Daylesford, Hay, Broome and Katherine.
“Daylesford, the Traditional Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, is known as
the rainbow capital of regional Victoria. It’s also home to ChillOut Festival, one of
the longest-running events celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ pride,” the Tinder site
says.
“Nestled on the WA coast, Broome, the Traditional Land of the Yawuru people, is
home to one of the most remote Mardi Gras celebrations in the country, providing a
melting pot of culture and people. As the hub of The Big Rivers region in the NT, the
town of Katherine, the Traditional Lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman
peoples, has an ever-growing LGBTQIA+ community and annual Pride celebration
for regional territorians.
“Deep in regional NSW, the small town of Hay, the Traditional Lands of the
Nari Nari and Wiradjuri people, is home to the first Mardi Gras of the region, the
Rainbow on the Plains festival.” Voting closes on June 30.
That news was followed up in our October 10 editon – we won.
DAYLESFORD has been named the home of the Big Rainbow,
Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of
regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion.
Daylesford was chosen after 16,000 public votes were cast, ahead of fellow
shortlisted towns Broome (WA), Hay (NSW) and Katherine (NT). The Big Rainbow
project is an initiative by online dating website Tinder Australia.
Hepburn Shire Council will now work with Tinder, and ratepayers through its
Participate Hepburn website, to chose from four potential sites – Lake Daylesford, the
Community Skate Park, the Lost Children’s Reserve or Victoria Park.
Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said it was brilliant to see the Big Rainbow,
which is 12 metres long and 6 metres wide, coming to a town that was considered to
be the rainbow capital of regional Australia.
They swiped right!
“Daylesford is the home of the ChillOut Festival, the longest running regional
LGBTIQA+ festival in Australia, and home to many rainbow families. Council will
soon initiate a period of community engagement to tap into the community’s local
knowledge and perspectives about the best suited location for the Big Rainbow which
will celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community.
“We are so grateful for the support that people across the country have shown us
in voting for Daylesford to be the home of the Big Rainbow. We have a long history
of supporting our LGBTIQA+ community and visitors to our town, and we hope
that The Big Rainbow will be an example of what it means to show love and support
to everyone.”
Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said that while the rainbow was a symbol
of inclusion, he envisaged it also being a tourism drawcard for Daylesford.
“We see people seeking out the Big Pineapple in Queensland and the Big Merino
in New South Wales, we believe the Big Rainbow will continue to add to our visitor
experience in the beautiful Daylesford and Hepburn Shire.”
Council will now be working with Tinder on the logistics of installing the Big
Rainbow, which made from ply marine wood and metal. As part of the Big Rainbow
Project, Tinder has also pledged to donate $100,000 to support regional organisations
which deliver services to LGBTIQA+ people across Australia.
Words: Donna Kelly
Ed’s note: There is still no word on where the Big Rainbow will end up. Many
people think it will be Victoria Park and announced in the lead up to ChillOut.
Others would prefer no rainbow at all. And others are concerned that there was no
community consultation – Hepburn Shire Council just randomly hooked up with Tinder.
