A new mural in Redfern, inspired by a love match in the Australian LGBTQIA+ community, is part of this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The mural is located at 265 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW. It celebrates the story of Rugby Sevens Captain, Sharni Williams, who recently proposed to her partner, Mel, and is also a proud LGBTQIA+ advocate in the world of rugby.
The Redfern installation features with other murals in Bondi and Paddington as part of “Big Love is all around us” – a campaign partnership between Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and MINI Australia.
The campaign aligns with Mardi Gras’s 2022 theme “United we Shine”, which encourages everyone to rise up against inequality and celebrate the love around them.
Throughout January, MINI invited everyday Australians to share their inspiring stories of #MINIActsofBigLove with the wider community. From weddings to families to colleagues to pets, Australians showcased heart-felt words and treasured images to represent their personal meaning behind Big Love.
This week, three of these stories were brought to life as painted murals and unveiled in Bondi, Redfern and Paddington as part of the Mardi Gras festivities.
A QR code on each directs visitors to video footage of the stories being told by the individual or couple themselves.
The new murals are free for the public to view at:
Bondi (celebrates rainbow families) – 21 Curlewis St Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Redfern (celebrates “love is love”) – 265 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW
Paddington (celebrates marriage equality) – 412 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
Championing Big Love
As part of Big Love, MINI also announced media personality, Neale Whitaker, award-winning pastry chef, Anna Polyviou, and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, Maxi Shield, as its “Friends of MINI” – strong champions of the LGBTQIA+ community who embody the meaning behind Big Love and have actively shared their own Big Love stories for the world to see.
Neale Whitaker said: “It’s been truly heartwarming to hear and see the stories of Australians who are proud of their individuality and want to be a role model to so many. There’s no better time of year to celebrate each other and be grateful for our experiences and what we have around us. It is our hope that Big Love will create a sense of belonging for all.”
MINI Australia has also developed a digital platform called “Map of Big Love” which champions different perspectives on Sydney’s Pride festival by profiling LGBTQIA+ businesses and hotspots highlighted by the “Friends of MINI” and the LGBTQIA+ community.
It will be a go-to map for special MINI activations taking place in the lead-up to the official Parade on March 5. It also includes Sharni’s story and the painting of the mural in Redfern.
Post-event the map will continue to advocate local businesses and share voices of the LGBTQIA+ community in Redfern and surrounding areas.
Nikesh Gohil, Head of Marketing for MINI Australia and New Zealand said: “What Australians love most about Mardi Gras is the unity it creates amongst all people – no matter what their culture, age, sexuality or identity. It’s so important that we support and encourage one another to inspire positive change and be part of something bigger together. This is what Big Love is all about, so let’s make this the loudest, most exciting Mardi Gras yet.”
As part of the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 5, MINI will lead a fun celebration of Big Love choreographed by world-renowned Amé Delves. The parade led by Neale, Anna and Maxi will feature dance, acrobatic elements and gymnastics in a fusion of music, dance, light and fashion.
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To access the Map of Big Love, visit: https://www.mini.com.au/mapofbiglove
Follow MINI on Instagram @miniaustralia for news leading up to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.
