AT the recent Loxton Mardi Gras Annual General Meeting, long-time committee member Chris Sheahan offered to temporarily take over the chairman position of the committee from Liz Dymmott, who has held the position for 10 years and needed to step down.
Long-time cecretary Carla Magarey also declined re-election, and with no one offering, the secretary position remains vacant.
“We are hopeful some kind person reading this will come and offer their services,” Mr Sheahan said.  
“We have an assistant secretary who will take the minutes, so the secretary position is not too arduous.” 
In her chairperson’s report, Mrs Dymmott acknowledged the Loxton and wider Riverland community for their enthusiastic support of the 68th annual Loxton Mardi Gras Family Festival, which was held in extreme heat conditions in February.
“A wonderful selection of floats in the parade, along with two bands, older vehicles and emergency services made for an outstanding parade once again,” she said. 
“The number of children on the floats was amazing and even in the extreme heat, the children loved being in the parade.” 
Mrs Dymott thanked the Loxton Waikerie council for their in-kind continued support, and the local SA Police, emergency services, MCs, commentators and judges of the parade, and The Murray Pioneer’s Shop Window competition. 
“Despite the efforts of the ambassador entrants, their sponsor and the generosity of several local businesses, the amount of funds available to distribute was not enough to support Small Grant applications this year… these funds will be held over for distribution next year,” Mrs Dymmott said. 
Mrs Dymmott finished her report by saying, “I look forward to the 69th Loxton Mardi Gras, on February 28, and March 1, 2026 with the theme chosen for next year being ‘Disney’.