Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 3 October this year, the Central Coast came together to celebrate diversity, inclusion and LGBTQIA+ pride at the annual Coastal Twist Festival, organised by none other than the Naughty Noodle Fun Haus and Central Coast Pride. The day's weather could not have been more perfect for this super spectacular, colourful and musical occasion. The community came in their thousands to enjoy the live musical acts, to taste the amazing food and to buy the excellent products and services that were on offer from local Central Coast businesses.

It is so important that regional and rural areas of Australia have events like Coastal Twist, because it can often be challenging for many in the LGBTQIA+ community to connect, be visible and celebrated outside the city areas. The Coastal Twist Festival demonstrated the vibrancy, talent and welcoming nature so common in this community, and I was honoured to be part of the festival with my own stall.

After the past couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions, this year's festival was an immense success and I congratulate the community of the Central Coast and suburbs like Woy Woy, Umina Beach, Ettalong Beach, Pearl Beach, Booker Bay and Patonga for embracing this year's festival. I would like to commend the ever-amazing director, Glitta Supernova; Central Coast Pride co-founder, activist and writer, Juan Iocco; and also Melissa Cook, Ryan Burrett, Star Shine and Joshua Maxwell on ensuring that this year's Coastal Twist Festival was a huge success.

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