Pride, passion and plenty of heart

Our District recently came alive for one of the biggest celebrations of the year – the 2026 Mardi Gras parade. 

Once again, our staff were front and centre: working throughout the night to keep our community safe, and marching in the parade to show their pride and support for LGBTIQ+ communities.  

Staff and consumers from Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Services (SHBBVS), Population and Community Health proudly marched to the theme: Frequency of care, tuning into our communities. 

Each year, the float includes the Kirketon Road Centre (KRC) bus, which has been an important source of community outreach services dating back to the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s. 

“Mardi Gras is an important opportunity to show our support for LGBTIQ+ communities. It’s also lots of fun!” said Dr Phill Read, Director of SHBBVS.  

“Our communities are at the centre of everything that we do. That is reflected in this year’s theme and float, where we proudly march with some of our consumers.” 

Meanwhile, 60 staff from across the state were joined by Minister for Health Ryan Park and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce for the NSW Health float and this year’s theme: The Pulsing Heart of NSW Health. 

Giant inflatable hearts and bright red, sequinned scrubs made a fabulous impression as the float made its way along the parade route.  

More pictures from the Mardi Gras parade are available on our Facebook page. 

Published 12 March 2026