United We Shine – Glitter, Rainbows, Tutus and LGBTQIA+ Pride

We hit the road ready for an eventful few days away, we arrived at our hotel, the very swanky Novotel Darling Square, such a great place to stay and close to all of the MG action! After we checked in, we took a walk to Chinatown to check out Paddy’s Markets; everyone was doing their last-minute costume shopping, but we managed to bag some goodies to take home with us. We headed back to our hotel to unpack our bags, get into our swimmers and check out the pool. It was lovely and relaxing, overlooking Darling Square, watching people while they played with their dogs in the open play area on this rainy kind of afternoon. We whiled the afternoon away and relaxed, ready for the party tomorrow…

The next morning, we got ready for the day and headed to a yummy breakfast. Today was a chilled day as we had a big night of fun and excitement ahead of us at the 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. We ventured to the Chinese Garden of Friendship to spot some lizards and soak up the morning sunshine and drizzly rain. We watched the koi fish splash through the water and took in the sights of relaxing waterfalls and greenery. We lazed and relaxed by the pool before getting ready for our fun night ahead.

We were beyond excited as we got dressed up with our costumes and props. Sparkling with glitter, we made our way to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the 44th annual festival of inclusion. We arrived early so we could get some awesome photos with some of the participants before the parade started and the photos did not disappoint! So many glamorous frocks, sequins and glitter all around. We were first in line awaiting entry; On our first stop, we went to say hello to our friends at Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) at the Quiet Room. Tt was so relaxing to sit for a while before the festivities, with some sensory toys away from the crowd. One of the awesome team members from Aspect gave us a sunflower lanyard; the sunflower represents hidden disabilities, people choose to wear the sunflower lanyard to discreetly indicate that they have an invisible disability and may need help, assistance or simply more time. All staff at the event were trained and aware of what the sunflower represents; it worked well especially at a large event like Mardi Gras – What a fantastic initiative!

Let’s get this PARTY STARTED! We found our 3rd row seats, the best seats in the house, and the entertainment commenced. Loud and clear and full of sparkle in Mardi Gras spirit, the lead of the parade, the famous Dykes On Bikes, set the tone for a fabulous night ahead. The SCG was pumping and the atmosphere was out of this world!

The parade hosts of hundreds of floats, marchers showcasing the inclusion and diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual. Partygoers partied, danced and let their hair down and so did we Trusted Travellers. So much fun had by all, the highlight for us was getting to see The Wiggles perform Elephant with Vanessa Amorosi singing Absolutely Everybody a very close second. A lot of rainbow flags were flying high!

The fun was far from over…. this Mardi Gras was a very special one…

Our Trusted Traveller was excited to see her mum and step mum march in the Parade and we had the honour to make it happen. It was a very special moment seeing each other, caught on video, a moment they will cherish forever!

After a late night of fun and excitement, we had a very slow morning the next morning before finally venturing off to Taronga Zoo. We made our way down the hill of Taronga, keeping an eye out for lion cubs and elephant calves along the way. After seeing loads of animals, we rode the cable car back to the top followed by, of course, the souvenir shop. An adorable plush elephant named Elly joined the family that day.

What a fabulous weekend, we can’t wait to see you at Mardi Gras next year!

Terms and Conditions

Orders

Please read these Terms carefully before placing an order for any products.

By placing an order for Products you agree to these Terms.

We will be deemed to have formally accepted your offer of purchase when the merchandise order form has been received.

Each order accepted by us will be a separate and binding agreement between you and Trusted Travel for the supply of the relevant Products in accordance with these Terms. You must provide accurate and current information when ordering your Products. You are responsible for checking the size, options, colours, materials and other relevant information that you submit with your order. By submitting an order, you represent that all Products, sizes, quantities and component variables listed in the order are correct.

Your legal rights

Your purchase of Products will be subject to certain laws including, without limitation, the Australian Consumer Law contained in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (ACL).

Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the ACL. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

Nothing in these Terms is to be read or applied so as to exclude, restrict or modify any guarantee or other right or remedy in the ACL or other law which cannot by law be excluded, restricted or modified.

Pricing and taxes

Prices are as shown on this website.

Trusted Travel reserves the right to change the prices of Products at any time without notice to you. The price displayed at the time that you place your order will continue to apply to you even if the price changes before your order is accepted by us.

Prices will be displayed in Australian dollars.

Cancellation

If you change your mind on your order, you should let Trusted Travel know as soon as possible. If not, you may be liable to pay for the order. Trusted Travel will assess each order cancellation individually and will contact you with a decision.

Except to the extent required by the ACL or other applicable law, we will not be liable to you, or any other person, for any loss, damage, cost or expense suffered or incurred due to order information being incomplete or inaccurate.

Payment methods and terms

The Disability Trust will use the information you supply in the Trusted Travel merchandise order form to create a debtor ID. The Disability Trust accepts the following payment methods: BPAY, EFT. Cheque, money order, credit card, cash and direct debit. All invoices are payable as per the terms stated on the invoice received. Please contact the accounts department on 02 4255 8000 or email ar@disabilitytrust.org.au for invoice or statement enquiries.

As part of agreeing to these terms and conditions, you agree to have understood the application process for a credit account to be opened with The Disability Trust. You also confirm that the information provided in the Trusted Travel Booking Form is true and correct.

You understand that if there is any default by the Participant and/or Organisation in making payment to The Disability Trust, the information collected in this Agreement together with the information as to the amounts claimed by The Disability Trust to be owing and any related information may be accessed by The Disability Trust and their employees.

You acknowledge that full payment of any debt must be made within the terms as set out above.

You understand that the supply of goods and/or service/s to the Participant may be refused if any particulars requested by The Disability Trust are not provided by the Participant and/or Organisation or if these terms are not agreed to by the Participant and/or Organisation.

You acknowledge that The Disability Trust has requested the Participant and/or Organisation to let The Disability Trust know immediately in writing of any change to the account information. The Participant and/or Organisation acknowledges having been advised by The Disability Trust that Participant and/or Organisation is entitled to access the account information from time to time and require The Disability Trust to take all reasonable steps to ensure that all such information is accurate, complete and up to date.

Gift cards can be used to pay toward your Disability Trust account, Trusted Travel holiday or Trusted Travel merchandise. Gift card only valid for payment to Disability Trust if paid in full by purchaser. If gift card is unpaid, value attached to gift card will not be honoured.

Returns and refunds

You should check your Products as soon as you receive them and ensure that the order has been filled correctly and the Products are not damaged or faulty.

If Products supplied to you are damaged or faulty or are not the Products you ordered, you must contact and inform us as soon as possible. Gift cards cannot be refunded. The amount purchased on the gift card will be applied to your account with The Disability Trust and cannot be exchanged for cash.

We will refund Products that were damaged or faulty at the time of supply to you.

Please return the product/s to us in the original condition within 10 days of receipt, and we will assess your return request, and if appropriate, replace or refund your purchase.

All returns should be sent with supporting documentation in original or appropriate packaging to:

Trusted Travel
Level 1, 5 Edney Lane
Coniston, NSW 2500, Australia

General

We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. Any amendment will take effect from the time that it appears on this website.

Skip to content