Lee-Anne McDougall first started volunteering when she was just a kid, turning up at a local vet clinic in Warner’s Bay and asking if she could help. She discovered the value in giving back to her community and it started her on a journey that eventually led to her being named the Newcastle Local Woman of the Year 2025.
“I volunteered at the clinic after school, weekends and school holidays until I finished Year 10, I also joined the Warners Bay Leo Club which is the Junior Lions Club when I was about 16. I was a member for a few years, we did a lot of work out in the community, helping out at events, fundraisers and places such as nursing homes.
“That’s when I truly discovered that even the simplest acts of kindness can bring a smile to someone’s face,” said Lee.
After school Lee went into hospitality, becoming a chef and also working in front of house. Then she moved to Sydney for a few years where she worked as a childcare cook, Pfizer Chef/team leader, Bridge Climb Assistant, Guest Services Manager and finally Front Office at the Westin in Martin Place.
“When I came back to Newcastle, I worked for Key Insights then Parsons Brinckerhoff, both in Administration. I then got a Production Trainee Operator (open cut) dump truck position through the Women in Mining Program at Wambo in the Hunter Valley. And now I’m a postie!
“I guess you could say I’ve had a bit of a checkered working career,” Lee said with a laugh.
“From 2004 to 2010 I was also a committee member of Rainbow Visions, the local LGBTQIA+ community organisation. I organised events such as Mixed Froots business dinners and the annual LGBTQIA+ winter balls among others.”
In 2018, Lee noticed that the last LGBTIQA+ bar in Newcastle was closing and was being rebranded which meant that the LGBTQIA+ community no longer had a space to go to.
“It started me thinking ‘what can I do to help here?’
“So I googled Newcastle Pride and it was available and I thought I might start Newcastle Pride and see what happens.
“I created a really bad logo LOL, and I reached out to a friend that I used to work with at Rainbow Visions, Ivan Skaines, who came on board and together we got Newcastle Pride off the ground.”
Newcastle Prideis a community-based charity organisation that holds inclusive events for the community in safe spaces, the showcase being the Newcastle Pride Festival which runs in October each year. This year it’s running from October 6 – 26 and promises an exciting lineup of diverse and fun events, catering to a wide range of interests and ages.
“We have events planned such as The Leather Lounge at Flamingo’s Live, (Newcastle’s only) Drag Music Bingo, a LGBTQIA+ Youth Formal, Rainbow Storytime and Disco for the kids, our Pride Parade and Dance Party. We have Short and Curlies, which is short queer films presented by QueerScreen that we’ve been running for many years.”
The highlight of the festival is Newcastle Pride’s signature event, Fair Day. Held in Gregson Park at Hamilton on Saturday October 25th, this free family-friendly event has grown from 5,000 people when it started in 2018 to more than 12,000 people coming along last year.
“It is such a great day of inclusivity and diversity, and it really is fabulous to see all the smiles as people come together in one space. Afterwards we receive such positive feedback, even from people and families who are not part of the LGBTIQA+ community.”
The festival is not just about having a good time, it plays a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting acceptance within the broader community, ensuring that the voices and stories of LGBTQIA+ individuals are heard and celebrated. Something that Newcastle Pride advocates all year round.
“We run a lot of mixed events throughout the year as well as monthly events, and we also collaborate with local organisations. We support sporting groups and events such as the Pride AFL rounds; we’ve been doing that for a couple of years now.
“We’re constantly getting requests for help which is great though it does get difficult as our team are all volunteers. We all have full-time jobs so it can be challenging to balance at times, but we do our best and are always looking for more people to volunteer.”
One of Lee’s dreams is to have a Pride Group in every region and she hopes that more people will put their hand up to help make that happen.
“So far we’ve registered Port Stephens Pride, Hunter Pride, Pokolbin Pride and Lake Macquarie Pride which all run under the Newcastle Pride banner. When we held the Pride by Nights event at Lake Macquarie we had more than 8,000 people attend throughout the day. That really shows there is a need for groups like Pride in all our local communities and that people really want it.
“At the moment our team is planning to form smaller subcommittees in those areas and in all the other areas that need a place where everyone can belong and feel safe and seen and supported and celebrated.
“I encourage people to get involved and be a part of the community we are creating. So many of our volunteers are returning volunteers and they come back each year for that sense of community. We welcome anyone who is inclusive and accepting of all people.”
The Newcastle Pride team has big goals and one of those is to create a Pride Hub.
“We want to create a hub where everyone is welcome and can come together in one place. We envision it as a multi-use place where you have a bar, cafe, meeting rooms, co-working spaces, event spaces and training spaces. It would serve as a hub for the community and for all the local groups and organisations that provide much-needed services.”
What Lee has already achieved is remarkable, but she is quick to point out that she’s just one of the many people who are trying to create a more inclusive future for all.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the recognition of being named Newcastle Local Woman of the Year 2025 and joining the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and that we matter.
“It’s a privilege to stand alongside so many inspiring women and to collaborate with passionate individuals and organisations as we work together toward a more inclusive future.”
| If you would like to support or sponsor Newcastle Pride or volunteer, send an email to: theteam@newcastlepride.com.au You can also learn more at www.newcastlepride.com.au |
