ACON is celebrating its 40th anniversary in spring 2025 with a packed and diverse community program of events and activities – and everyone is invited.
Explore ACON’s 40th Anniversary website and browse the event calendar here.
ACON 40 Hub
ACON is taking over the Wharf 2 Theatre at Sydney Theatre Company to create the ACON 40 Hub. A full day featuring a series of sessions that will celebrate, reflect and allow us to share stories and connect to community and beyond.
We will be reflecting on our history and celebrating LGBTQ+ trailblazers, queer theatre, community care and more.
The ACON 40 Hub is presented in association with Sydney Theatre Company.
Here is the full ACON 40 Hub at The Wharf program:
40 Years of Community Care
10am-11am
From the early days of HIV to today, people in our communities step up to care for others who need them. In this panel discussion hosted by ACON CEO Michael Woodhouse, we explore the role of volunteer and family carers, supporting carers and how our culture of care has changed over the last 40 years. Featuring Bruce Strath and Tara Stevens.
Presented by ACON and The Carer Gateway – Benevolent Society
BOOK TICKETS HERE: 40 Years of Community Care
40 Years of Coming Out and Inviting In
12pm-1pm
Hosted by ABC journalist Mon Schafter, this panel will explore the notion of ‘coming out’ and how it takes multiple forms through diverse stories and experiences. Our guests share personal stories about choosing to share their identities with others on their own terms and the power of community. Featuring Dr. Atari Metcalf, Nina Oyama, Zoe Terakes and Ji Wallace.
Presented by ACON and Twenty10
BOOK TICKETS HERE: 40 Years of Coming Out and Inviting In
Firsts
2pm-3pm
Meet a panel of trailblazers in Australian LGBTQ+ history with FIRSTS, hosted by the ABC’s Jeremy Fernandez. This event assembles some of the nation’s pioneering advocates and changemakers who’ve opened doors and elevated visibility of the rainbow community in their respective fields. Hosted by Jeremy Fernandez and featuring Brenna Harding, Michael Kirby, Ian Roberts and Georgie Stone.
Presented by ACON and Make My Mark
40 Years of Queer Theatre
4pm-5pm
Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director Mitchell Butel will host this panel discussion exploring the history of queer theatre in NSW. Featuring Tony Sheldon. Further guests to be announced.
Presented by ACON and Sydney Theatre Company
BOOK TICKETS HERE: 40 Years of Queer Theatre
Sideshow: The Legacy of Michael Matou and The Sideshow Theatre Company
6pm-7pm
Step into the glittering, defiant world of 1980s Sydney as we celebrate the legacy of Michael Matou and the Sideshow Theatre collective – a radical force in queer expression, cabaret and theatrical transcendence. Featuring Maeve Marsden, Ali McGregor, Imogen Kelly, Kanen Breen and Martin Raphael.
Presented by ACON and Fluxus
ACON 40 Ruby Gala Dinner
You’re invited to an evening of impact and inspiration as we celebrate 40 years of ACON.
The ACON 40 Ruby Gala Dinner will bring together community leaders, allies and supporters for a night of celebration and performance.
The gala is hosted by ABC broadcaster Jeremy Fernandez and drag icon Courtney Act, and will feature First Nations music duo Electric Fields.
The story of ACON is the story of our communities. This gala event will be a chance to celebrate our collective achievements, give thanks and connect with each other in the spirit of pride, hope, unity and strength.
We will also celebrate outstanding LGBTQ+ community service and achievements with a presentation of the Honour Awards.
The ACON 40 Ruby Gala Dinner is designed to delight, inspire and celebrate, including:
- Scrumptious three-course dining experience and beverage package
- Captivating hosts and live performances
- Inspirational awards presentation
- And much more
Funds raised on the night will support ACON’s programs in community building and development.
Dress code: Formal with a touch of ruby / red. Dress to impress for this special milestone celebration – it’s going to be a night to remember.
Pride in Sport Summit | Tuesday 30 September 2025
Join us at the 2025 Australian Pride in Sport Summit, a dedicated conference that goes beyond showcasing industry leaders, athletes, advocates, and allies in the sports world. This ground-breaking event offers a comprehensive experience that celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusivity and empowerment, and also provides unique opportunities for learning, collaboration, and resource assessment.
Immerse yourself in engaging panel discussions and gain valuable insights from leaders representing diverse sporting organisations. Participate in thought-provoking roundtable discussions with influential figures, where ideas and experiences from all corners of the sports industry converge. This open exchange of perspectives will contribute to shaping the future of this space and identifying areas where resources can be better allocated to drive impactful change.
2025 AUSTRALIAN PRIDE IN SPORT SUMMIT
8:30am – 6:00pm AEST, Tuesday 30 September 2025
John Niland Scientia Building
University of New South Wales,
Gate 11, Library Walk, Kensington Campus,
Kensington, New South Wales
Parramatta Pride Picnic | Saturday 11 October 2025
Proudly a free event, EVERYONE is welcome! As western Sydney’s largest Pride event, Parramatta Pride Picnic is proudly a collaboration between ACON, Inclusiv Events and Parramatta Queer Forum, part of ACON’s Inclusive Communities Networks, alongside a dedicated team of volunteer event organisers.
Celebrating great vibes, fierce looks, and plenty of community love – don’t miss the return of Parramatta Pride Picnic for 2025 Parramatta Pride Picnic is back for its 17th year serving up a day full of fabulous entertainment, food, activities and meaningful connections for the LGBTI+ community, their families, friends and community allies.
After last year’s overwhelming success, we’re excited to be able to welcome you back to Parramatta Park Bowling Green and surrounds. We’ll be hosting market stalls featuring a variety of community and corporate partners and a great selection of food all within the lawns and gardens of our licensed bar area, allowing visitors to meander responsibly all afternoon with a curated list of beers, wines and cocktails.
Expect to see on the day many community favourites, stay and enjoy a diverse range of performances and guests, from DJs and Drag Kings and Queens to cultural entertainment and there’s always something for the kids and our four-legged friends.
Returning also for its 3rd year, feel-good times continue into the evening with a T-dance inspired after party with one of our supportive partner venues in and around Parramatta – more to be announced!
Stall bookings are now open here.
PARRAMATTA PRIDE PICNIC
11am – 5pm, Saturday 11 October 2025
Parramatta Park in the Bowling Green
Regular Events
Bingay | ACON Fundraiser
ABOUT BINGAY
Bingay is gay bingo which means there’s classic disco tunes, weird rules and penalties, outrageous antics, hilarious repartee, deliciously lewd bingo calls, and prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets and restaurant vouchers.
Bingay hostess Charisma Belle oversees the madcap proceedings and Bingay’s long time barrel babe Naomi Palmer spins the balls and sings up a storm.
Bingay takes over the upstairs bar of The Beresford Darlinghurst on the second Thursday of every month, with each monthly event having a fabulously flamboyant theme.
Bingay’s balls first dropped in 1999, making it one of Sydney’s longest running LGBTQ community events + it raises money for our HIV and LGBTQ health services.
So whether you’re a regular or a novice, or a local or visitor to Sydney, if you’re up for a wonderfully camp mid-week entertainment experience, then you can’t go wrong with Bingay.
For more information and bookings, visit the Bingay website here
The LOVE Project
The LOVE Project (Living OLDER Visibly and Engaged) is an ACON initiative that’s all about creating better conversations and improved social engagement with older LGBTQ community members.
By understanding people’s preferences, we can facilitate greater social connectivity, improve social inclusion and evolve services to meet your needs.
The friendly health promotion team of the LOVE Project welcomes you to get on board to share experiences, interact with other members of the LGBTQ community and create a healthier, active and social lifestyle for yourselves and those around you.
For more information, contact: Russ Gluyas | 02 9206 2017 | rgluyas@acon.org.au
Follow the LOVE Project on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Fact Sheets
