Funding from the Hey Project and the Victorian Government has enabled a group of enthusiastic young people to plan and host the Rainbow Ball – the first ‘inclusive formal’ in East Gippsland for LGBTIQ+ young people and their allies.

Under the guidance of staff from Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH), this project has given the young workgroup the opportunity to tackle event planning and management on a small scale and pull together a special night of celebration for their peers.

“We’ve invited LGBTIQ+ young people, aged 12 to 25 from across East Gippsland and the Wellington Shire to meet new people and dance the night away in a safe and supportive environment,” said Warren Adair, Reconnect support worker from GLCH. “The evening also includes a sit down two course meal and exciting performances by local youth DJ’s Hongding and Riley Walsh.”

In addition to the awesome food and entertainment, the workgroup has organised a Rainbow Lolly Bar, Photobooth and Body Artist.

The Rainbow Ball will be held this Friday night in Bairnsdale and is strictly a drug and alcohol free event. As the theme of the event is ‘inclusion’, young people are encouraged to invite a friend or ‘ally’ so they feel supported during the evening.