No rainbow for Hay

Dating app Tinder has announced that the Big Rainbow Project winner is the community of Daylesford, home of the ChillOut Festival.

Hay was reported runner-up in the competition, which saw more than 16,000 votes cast from across Australia to decide the location of the colourful arc.

As well as Daylesford, Hay was pitted against Broome (WA) and Katherine (NT).

“Hay Mardi Gras Inc is beyond thrilled that we were considered to be a possible home for the Big Rainbow,” Rainbow on the Plains Festival organiser Will Miller said.

“Making the top four out of all possible locations throughout Australia was a massive honour.

“We thank all those who have thrown their support behind this.

“We know it was going to mean a lot to our local and regional committee. To have the support we have received has motivated us even more to make Rainbow on the Plains Festival, a big celebration of all diversity.

“We congratulate Daylesford and look forward to a road trip to visit the Big Rainbow in the near future.

“In the meantime, we continue to work hard pulling this year’s Rainbow on the Plains Festival together and hope to see you all at one or more of the events over the weekend.”

The Big Rainbow Project was unveiled by Tinder in March 2022, and the company said it would donate $100,000 to support regional LGBTQI organisations across Australia.

The Big Rainbow spans 14 metres in width and is six metres high. Presently, it is temporarily housed at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal from where it will travel to Daylesford, which has been designated the home of the Big Rainbow.