LOXTON’S first 2021 Mardi Gras ambassador says she is looking forward to the opportunity to make new connections and give back to the local community through her new role.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Loxton, Bodhi and Rose Salon owner Rosanne McConnell will be one of next year’s community ambassadors, in what is expected to be the Loxton Mardi Gras’s 64th event.
Mrs McConnell said being an ambassador was a great way to volunteer and get involved with in the local community helping to raise funds for the Loxton Rotary Club.
Mrs McConnell lives on her family farm 70km out of town in the East Murray District, and in recent years the local school and sporting club have both closed and therefore Loxton has become her local hub.
“I am not directly involved with any community organisation other than sponsorship through my business, so just getting to know a lot more people would be nice,” she said.
Mrs McConnell already has a number of events in the pipeline for the year, starting with a champagne breakfast on Sunday, September 27.
“With the current circumstances with COVID-19 there is limitations and guidelines to adhere to when organising events and there is a lot of unknowns, however it is important to continue on and have a reason for people to get together and socialise, bringing positivity into community for a great cause,” she said.
She is also in the process of creating and organising a local 2021 Riverland and Mallee photo calendar as part of another fundraising opportunity.
Mardi Gras chairperson Liz Dymmott said the committee was keen to see the sponsorship of community ambassadors for the event, which is hoped to proceed next March in compliance with SA Health’s COVID-19 guidelines.
“Loxton and outlying communities are well known and acknowledged for being a caring, sharing and volunteering community,” Mrs Dymmott said.
“We want to be as inclusive as possible, and remove whatever barriers may exist to anyone who wants to contribute to Mardi Gras as an ambassador.”
Individuals, businesses, clubs, and organisations can register or sponsor ambassadors by visiting the Mardi Gras website at (www.loxtonmardigras.org.au).