Banana Bar Mural
Colours of the community
Celebrating Our Mardi Gras Photographers
Before the digital age of social media, photographers were making and sharing special moments that documented OUR History, OUR Battles, OUR Triumphs, OUR Community visually connecting people to a time and place – Sydney. This exhibition was first presented as part of the Sydney Gay& Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2024, and is now proudly displayed at Universal Oxford Street, Sydney. The Colours of Our Community project was founded by Markham Lane and continues thanks to the dedication of many volunteers lead by Paul Savage and Rochelle Wallis.
Photo Guide
1 Tom Luscombe - 1993-94 Lady Bump, Tony, Portia Turbo
2 Jeff Hudson - 1990s Mardi Gras Awards - MoreMen: Paul, Garth, Simon
3 Jeff Hudson - 2000 Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Rainbow Liberation
4 Jeff Hudson - 2000 Harbour Party
5 Jeff Hudson - 2001 Mardi Gras Parade Marching Boys
6 Jeff Hudson - 2002 Fair Day, Renee
7 Jeff Hudson - 1997 Fair Day, Miss 3D
8 Jeff Hudson - 2002 Fair Day, Sexy Gallaxy
9 Jeff Hudson - 1998 Miss Fair Day - Bear Spice & Crispin, Miss Fair Day 1997
10 Jamie James - 1996 DOB, Mardi Gras Parade
11 Markham Lane - 2010 Mardi Gras Parade - Portia & Brokeback Boys
12 Ann-Marie - 2008 RHI Lighting, Mardi Gras Party
13 Markham Lane - 2011 First Nations, Mardi Gras Parade
14 Mazz Image - 1989 Sleaze Ball - Leggs Galore, Community show
15 Tom Luscombe - 1993-94 Recovery, Flinders Hotel
16 Tom Luscombe - 1993-94 Mardi Gras Parade
17 Mazz Image - 1989 Parade - Jaques costume by Ron Muncaster
18 Tom Luscombe - 1993 Bodina Bod, Albury Hotel
19 Ann-Marie - 2017 Mardi Gras Parade, Say YES to LOVE
20 Sallie Colechin - 1978, 24 June - Gay Solidarity Day, Morning March
21 Mazz Image - 1990s Mardi Gras Parade, Leather Pride
22 Mazz Image - 1990s Recovery, Flinders Hotel
23 Mazz Image - 1993 Albury Hotel Bar staff
24 Mazz Image - 1996 Mardi Gras Launch - Bob Downe at the Sydney Opera House
25 Mazz image - 1996 Mardi Gras Parade - ACON Remember Our Friends
26 Sallie Colechin - 1978, 15 July - Lesbians Ignite, Drop Charges Rally
In Tribute to… MARKHAM LANE
A fixture of the Sydney queer scene, Markham worked tirelessly to document, enhance and celebrate our culture from Mardi Gras 1994 - 2020. Markham often volunteered for theSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in a variety of roles, and In 2018 he combined his marketing, content and creative skills to transform his acclaimed photographic exhibition "Colours of Our Community" into one of the most spectacular, inclusive, and indeed colourful floats the parade has seen. This all culminated, with thanks to his wonderfully supportive team, who all rallied together to realise a shared passion and vision, that their entry was awarded BEST FLOAT in 2021.
The Colours of the Community team have carried on with this bright and inclusive vision of what we can be, when we have the support of our community.
Markham’s legacy is tied closely with the legacy of Sydney’s queer society, remembered not only for how he made people look, but also how he made them feel in the conversations had during these exchanges.
Universal would like to thank Markham, Mazz Images and the fabulous team at Colours of the Community for curating and allowing us to display these images.
