Camp crocodiles and Black Capt. Cook: what to expect from blackfellas at this years' Mardi Gras

Theme: REVOLUTION

Think: Flamboyant First Fleet

Volunteers design decorations for the First Nations float, 2018 Source: Supplied

While 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the parade, this year also marks the 30th anniversary of the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community float. Organised by the late Malcolm Cole, the 1988 float served as a political statement and protest about the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations, the country's very public and very expensive national celebrations which ignored tens of thousands of years of Indigenous history. We now think of Australia's Bicentennial celebrations as the moment over 40,000 people protested against them in Sydney - the largest march in the country since the Vietnam moratorium. 

Leading the parade, this years' First Nations float will proudly carry a special tribute to Cole’s 1988 extravaganza - a Black Captain Cook. Narrunga Gunditjmara man, Chris Bonney, will reprise the striking image and persona of Cole's Black Captain Cook character.

The late Malcolm Cole in his famous Black Captain Cook costume. Sydney Mardi Gras, 1988 (History of First Peoples entries in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade) Source: History of First Peoples entries in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade

In true Mardi Gras tradition, the 1988 parade entry was a satirical, fun, flamboyant piss-take on the first boat landing of the British on Aboriginal shores. While 1988 was the year Australia marked 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet, the comment being made by this mob was that Cook’s landing ashore in a long boat in 1770, surpassed 1988 as the mark for Aboriginal people of the very beginning of British arrivals.

This year, with 30 years since the '88 celebrations and the national debate and growing division of the date of Australia Day, the First Nations' float puts Malcolm Cole's satirical sailor theme back on show.   

But wait there's more! The 5 x 4 metre, double-sided lame flag that first paraded at the Mardi Gras in 1996 will reappear, leading this year’s 40th anniversary parade with the First Nations mob.

Supporters: The Aboriginal Project at ACON

Famous faces:

• Hon. Linda Burney MP
• June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
• Jackie Huggins, Chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples
• NAISDA Dancers, dance troupe
• Nana Miss Koori, professional drag queen and entertainer

Theme: ROCK OUT WITH YOUR CROC OUT

Think: Camp Crocodiles

The NT Float theme this is year: Rock Out with your Croc Out (designed by local NT designer, Ness Cotton) Source: Ness Cotton

Taking the Territory icon and giving it a camp twist, Rock Out with your Croc Out will place the Top End's toothy, scaley darling as the centrepiece of their Northern Territory float.

Known as the largest living reptile and the most aggressive of all the crocodiles, the Territory's saltwater croc can grow beyond 6 metres. Proving that size does matter, the NT has become associated with this unique animal, with tourists upon tourists visiting to get a glimpse of this Australian mascot.   

Rock Out with your Croc Out participants will dress in crocodile themes, bringing the northern-dwelling reptile south to the streets of Sydney. Handbag, shoes and even short shorts, a diva's look ain't complete without the luxe of crocodile skin.

The fabulous ‘Rock out with your Croc Out’ float is in the warehouse and boy is she a beautiful reptile! (Facebook/Departure Lounge) Source: Facebook/Departure Lounge

Last year, the NT float was awarded best community involvement for their glistening 'NT Stars' float. This year, the mob from the Top End will continue to showcase the immense pride, passion, creativity, love, diversity, activism and acceptance of the Northern Territory.

But wait there's more! The theme will be carried through in the float, dressing and costuming by designs by local Indigenous artist Aaron McTaggart from the Daly River community. The organisators have commissioned and collaborated with McTaggart to use his famous crocodile print as the main motif.

Supporters: NTACH & Party Passport events

Famous faces:

• Miss Ellaneous, professional drag queen and presenter
• Tiwi Island Sista Girls, LGBTIQ+ activists
• Hon. Lauren Moss, Minister for Corporate and Information Services; Minister for Environment and Natural Resources; Minister for Tourism and Culture
• Black Divaz including Josie Baker, Winner of the inaugural 'Miss First Nation' drag pageant 

Theme: LISTENS WITH LOVE

Think: Electric activism

R U OK? 2018 Float theme: Listen with Love Source: R U OK?

Nominated for a 2018 LGBTQI Award in the Charity category, R U OK? is visually reminding people to check in with each other during tough times, especially given suicide rates are so high with the LGBTQI community.

The tragic reality is that self-harm and suicide greatly affects the LGBTQI community. In Australia, LGBTQI youth are five times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers; 35 per cent of trans people over 18 have attempted suicide, while as much as 45 per cents have considered it; and 19 per cent of intersex people have attempted suicide directly because of their intersex status.

Steven Oliver on last years' R U OK? Float, 2017 Source: Supplied

The theme, Listens With Love, refers to the charity's second step - 1. Ask, 2. Listen, 3. Encourage action and 4. Check in - to starting a conversation with anyone you’re worried about. People must continue learning the skills and having the confidence to know how to approach loved ones in a meaningful way, and R U OK? aims to support the community in the field. 

But wait there's more! The float will include 60 male and 20 female marchers from across Australia and as far away as Canada, some of whom will travel especially to be a part of the parade. Non-Sydney based marchers have been practicing their choreography from videos held in Hyde Park.

Supporters: R U OK? Is a not-for-profit organisation. 

Famous faces:

• Casey Donovan, singer, presenter and personality
• Steven Oliver, comedian, mental health awareness ambassador and presenter

NITV will coming to you live from Sydney's Oxford Street, meeting and greeting folks on floats and soaking up the atmosphere. Watch all the action from our Facebook Page via. FB live.

Travis Cardona live on Oxford Street from all the colour and vibrancy of the 2017 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Source: NITV

Hosted by professional drag sensation, Miss Ellaneous; youth worker, advocate and presenter, Matty Webb; and dancer, singer and actor, Jonathan Jeffrey.

(L-R): NITV's Mardi Gras 2018 LIVE hosts: Jonathan Jeffrey, Miss Ellaneous and Matty Webb Source: NITV

Head to NITV's Facebook Page on Saturday 3 March at 6.30pm to see all the gays and glitter of #MardiGras40