5 minute read
“SEX, DRUGS & ABUSE” Behind the scenes of Tropical Fruits Org.
Article By John Tozeland
I first attended a Tropical Fruits event at Repentance Creek, followed by the event at the Lismore Rugby fields, again attending with the Gold Coast Organisers for a year the event went ahead at the Lismore race track.
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The year local organisers failed to deliver was fought with internal discord, and under a new leader, the event resumed at a new home and present venue, at the Lismore Showgrounds.
I moved from Sydney in 2015 taking up residence here in Lismore, I became involved with the Lismore City Councils Master's Committee only to resign after a year due to undergoing medical treatment. Soon after, I reached out to the Tropical Fruits committee of 2015/2016 and initiated an appointment to present a proposal for the coming 50th year anniversary celebrations which was earmarked for 2018.
During the presentation with committee members, I proposed a title for the coming event Lismore Shines a purposed marketing campaign that I had started during my time with Lismore Masters. It was designed to reflect a new way of looking at the way in which Lismore was being tagged other than the Love Lismore campaign.
I was marketing the tagline #LismoreShines across social media. On presenting this to the Tropical Fruits committee, I proposed a concept to double the attendance, which was not looked upon favourably - due to the lack of toilet facilities being available, I did not see this as a major problem as temporary toilets can always be added.
I have an extensive background in Major events especially with music after managing Parklands Gold Coast and hosting Big Day Out, VANS Warped Tours, and numerous other events. I was also appointed Tourism and Events on an advisory committee representative for Gold Coast City Council.
I suggested inviting Dykes on Bikes as I was speaking with my Aunty, who was one of the first riders in 1978 at the Sydney Mardi Gras with Dykes on Bikes, this idea was welcomed. I also proposed that I could assist with social media and marketing to commence building awareness. This was accepted and I commenced with their Twitter account marketing for 2016 and through part of 2017.
It was the New Year's period of 2016 after volunteering with set-up, engaging social media marketing at the New Year's Eve event. I returned early am on January 01st to volunteer. On arriving at the venue I sustained an injury and as I was reporting in on that morning. I mentioned to the Club Secretary about the injury. I was unable to move too far or place any weight on my right leg, the injury was to my knee. I was still able to stay and help for a further 6 hours, and took on light duties in the kitchen, washing up and helping to clean and clear plates after lunch had been served.
By this time I was in extreme discomfort. No incident report was taken. I was advised by the Dr. in preceding days that I had sustained a meniscus tear to my right knee. No follow-up from Tropical Fruits was afforded to me, and as such no incident report was offered, which is complete neglect of care and duty for any person under-engaged workplace health & safety.
It was extremely hard, I lost my capacity to work on my projects, there were times my knee was so inflamed that it resulted in bruising, just by walking any great distance. It was later in 2017 before surgery on my knee to repair the meniscus tear and that took place at Grafton Hospital.
Due to a toxic and abusive relationship that I had ended, I started to disengage also with Tropical Fruits Org. and commenced moving away and healing from being involved in the association, not only from this person as a member of Tropical Fruits but also with the organisation itself.
As 2018 rolls around, here comes my initial proposal I had worked upon, and Lismore Shines was named as the theme, they had also made contact with Dykes on Bikes and invited them to the event to celebrate the 50th.
I was dismayed, to say the least! I have presented proposals to many credible organisations during my professional career; to the Kings Privvy in Thailand, and numerous business-to-business proposals and still today I am presenting proposals. Never have I experienced such blatant disrespect and usage of a creative proposal.
As 2018 began, I was volunteering again for two worthy causes, a local organisation, and also I was pivotal in arranging funding through GOLDOC for SAFE SPACES for the LGBTIQ C0mmunity, during the lead-in to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, I came off worse for wears after avoiding a collision with a P-Plate driver, they were fine, but I endured a traumatic car accident in early February of 2018. A broken collarbone, a substantial head laceration, Injury to my left leg, Injury to my left hand, and oral damage.
I am still undergoing treatment and another surgery due for later 2021.
During this time I have encountered members of the Tropical Fruits Organisation and the few bad fruits that are well-known and not so amongst the community. Experiencing abuse and derogatory behaviour directed towards me, which has resulted in police reports being made.
I fail to understand those who advocate a stand for equality and a stand against abuse can be the perpetrators of the very same thing, they fight against.
In the next article due in September, I will share more behind the scenes, more on what goes on at these events with the majority of the patronage that frequents the New Year Eve parties from outside of the area. The drugs they bring, the lack of policing at the event, the live sex shows and purposely staged areas for party goes to have sex during the event. It's not just the glitz and glamour of what the parade brings or the fireworks but the underlying damage that happens leading into, during, and after the party so many know so well. The impact on the health system and the bad influences of younger generations that attend or become involved.
