Wagga Pride

In this episode, we meet Holly Conroy, the founder of Wagga Mardi Gras. Holly shares her journey from growing up and transitioning in the rural town of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, to launching the first Pride Mardi Gras event in the area. Despite initial fears and challenges, especially in a traditional country setting, Holly received overwhelming community support which fueled her ambition to showcase that rural areas can positively embrace LGBTQ+ events. Documenting her experiences in the SBS series Untold Australia: Country Town Pride, Holly reveals the behind-the-scenes effort, community and family focus, and personal perseverance that turned Wagga Mardi Gras into a widely supported and successful annual event, even overcoming initial sponsorship hurdles and logistical challenges without a formal committee. As she looks toward the future, Holly and her dedicated committee aim to continue growing the event, maintaining its family-friendly atmosphere and community-driven spirit. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:26 Growing Up in Wagga and Transitioning 01:55 Inception of Wagga Mardi Gras 02:45 Documentary and Community Response 03:31 Organizing the First Mardi Gras 05:44 Challenges and Support 08:39 Success and Growth of the Event 18:28 Family-Friendly Focus 23:48 Future Plans and Sponsorship 28:43 Upcoming Event Details 31:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts