Lismore is a place of palm trees, rainforest, laid-back living and alternative lifestyles.  In 1973, the Aquarius Festival – a counter-cultural arts and music festival held in the area – acted as a beacon to Australia’s growing band of ‘alt-lifers’(alternative lifestylers) that this was a place for them. A healthy smattering of these alt-lifers were queer, and by 1988 there were enough of them to warrant the formation of a gay and lesbian social group. The Tropical Fruits Inc. was born.

Although primarily known for its NYE party, Tropical Fruits is a gay and lesbian social group boasting year-round events. But once a year, queers from around Australia head to Lismore for their big bash: the Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve Party.

“It’s very different to the big gay NYE dance parties you’ll find in, say, Sydney or Brisbane,” Tropical Fruits chairperson Shane Duniam tells blaze. “To come to our party, unless you’re a local, you need to make a commitment. You need to plan it, book accommodation, and travel hundreds of kilometres.”

This year’s Tropical Fruits NYE party has a theme of ‘The Elements’ (the elements being earth, water, air and fire – and some say, spirit).

“Having a theme unifies the whole event,” production manager Tony Allison explains. “My job is to make sure the theme is represented across the event, and that’s something we do by way of art, performances, music and the ‘scenery’, which is the physical backdrop we create.”

Allison’s colleague, event coordinator Marie Reilly, concurs. She adds that, in her opinion, what makes Tropical Fruits NYE parties truly special is the diversity of entertainment on offer.

“It’s not just a dance party,” she tells blaze. “It’s actually a social and cultural event. Yes there’s the dance party itself – which will go off this year with people like Kitty Glitter, Corey Czok and Sveta – but there’s also an art exhibition, and food, and this year we have a film festival, and of course we have our recovery and pool parties on New Year’s Day. So it’s quite diverse and I think there’s really something for everyone.”

But how will the 21 year milestone be marked?

“The best way of marking it is just by putting on the best event we possibly can – and that’s what we’re going to do,” said Duniam.

The Tropical Fruits NYE Party: The Elements will be held from 8pm, December 31 2009 to 6am January 1, 2010 at the Lismore Showgrounds, Lismore. Tickets ($75-$100) and more information from www.tropicalfruits.org.au. Four day pass ($120-$195) including NYE party, pool party, recovery party and all sessions of the film festival also available.

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