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Lifesavers With Pride (pictured) took out the Best Choreography award at Friday night’s 2009 Mardi Gras Parade Awards.

Other winners included the Surry Hillsong float, featuring DJ Mark Alsop as God and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby’s Mission Possible float.

New Mardi Gras Chair David Imrie said the awards were recognition of the creativity showed at this year’s event.

These awards honour the creative energy and commitment behind every individual and organisation that enters our parade, he said.

We put additional resources and focus this year behind our own New Mardi Gras produced floats and it’s really pleasing to see so many other people going that extra mile to show the world what our community can do.

New Mardi Gras gives a number of grants each year to help community groups enhance their Parade entry. One of this year’s grant recipients, Ethel Yarwood Enterprises, put their grant to good use with their float -ËœSurry Hillsong -“ come into the Light’, their parody of Hillsong Church, which won the prize for best float design as well as nominations in two further categories.

Richard Winsbury’s entry, A Sparkling Delight, received the award for Best Individual Entry.

Best Costume Design was won by the Melbourne Mardi Gras Group -“ a fitting tribute to the fabulous efforts they put in for what was their last appearance at Mardi Gras Parade.

We’re already planning our ideas to make our 2010 parade even more stunning, Imrie said.

I’d like to encourage all our Parade entrants, both newcomers and Parade regulars, to think big and bold for next year to help us maximize our impact around the world.

Next year’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will be on Saturday 27th February 2010.

THE WINNERS

Political Comment
Winner: Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby with Mission Possible and the 007 Sequined Service

Best Use of Season Theme
Winner: Amnesty International Australia LGBTQ Network from Amnesty International Australia LGBTQ Network

Best Individual Entry
Winner: Richard Winsbury with A Sparkling Delight

Best Float Design
Winner: Ethel Yarwood Enterprises with Surry Hillsong – Come into the Light

Best Costume Design
Winner: Melbourne Mardi Gras Group from The Melbourne Mardi Gras Group

Best Choreography
Winner: Lifesavers with Pride with The United Colours of Lifesaving

Judges Choice
Winner: Australia United from Australia United

More photos: check out SCENE page