READ: PBA Annual Report 2025-26
Two long serving members of the Pride Business Association have been voted in as PBA Life Members at today’s Annual General Meeting.
The honour recognises dedication and service to the PBA’s mission of fostering LGBTQIA+ business within the broader community.
The latest inductees into what’s best described as the PBA’s “Hall of Fame” are Christopher Colwell and Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco.
Christopher Cowell and Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco
Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco
For almost thirty years, Giovanni has been part of the life of the Association, first as a hands-on volunteer and Board member, and in the years since as a loyal and engaged member who has kept returning to our events.
It’s fitting that Giovanni’s elevation to Life Membership comes in the same month that Fruits celebrates its 30th anniversary, since it was at Fruits that Giovanni took on his first role as a volunteer on the door at the monthly networking event.
Giovanni’s contribution moved to the boardroom in 2005, when he was asked to join the Board as part of the team that pulled the Association back from the brink at a time when its future was genuinely uncertain.
READ MORE: PBA Life Members: https://pba.org.au/life-members/
Dr. Christopher Colwell
Today’s second Life Member is Dr. Christopher Colwell, who has played a key role in the life of the PBA for almost a decade, serving as Secretary, Public Officer and Board Member for seven years from 2017 to 2024.
Christopher anchored the Association’s governance, legal compliance and organisational stability through periods of growth and transition.
His contribution ensured everything ran smoothly behind the scenes, from seamless corporate operations and strong regulatory adherence to preserving organisational continuity, including registering the PBA as a charity.
REGISTER NOW: Fruits 30: Three Decades. Three Levels. One Big Night.
Election of Office Bearers
Today’s AGM also confirmed the new PBA’s Office Bearers for the year ahead:
- Jarrod Lomas, President (Re-elected)
- Leah Pieris, Secretary and Public Officer (Re-elected)
- Mark Morrison, Director (Re-elected)
- Stephen Haggett, Director (Newly elected)
READ MORE: About the Pride Business Association
Other AGM Business
Members were also presented with the PBA’s Annual Report for 2025-26, the Association’s first full financial year operating under its new name and identity.
The Board reported an essentially breakeven consolidated result for the year, with the PBA Education Fund posting a $4,909 surplus and the PBA recording a modest $4,905 deficit after the Association deliberately increased its investment in events, community activity and its expansion into regional NSW. The PBA closed the year with more than $71,000 in cash reserves.
READ: PBA Annual Report 2025-26
The AGM heard that the PBA strengthened its advocacy and public voice on issues affecting LGBTQIA+ businesses and professionals over the year, deepened relationships with government, councils and community organisations, and extended its reach beyond central Sydney for the first time, including debut appearances at the Parramatta Pride Picnic and Coastie Carnie Fair Day on the Central Coast.
Marquee events including Fruits Sydney, Fruits Parramatta, The Glynn Legacy and Buy Rainbow all continued to grow, while the PBA Education Fund awarded another round of scholarships and expanded its fundraising through initiatives like Drag Trivia for a Cause.
Members were also updated on the comprehensive strategic planning process undertaken throughout the year, which will shape a new Strategic Plan and guide the PBA’s next chapter. Fittingly, this year also marked 25 years of Lemons and 30 years of Fruits, a milestone the PBA will continue celebrating throughout the year.
REGISTER NOW: Fruits 30: Three Decades. Three Levels. One Big Night.
Everyone is welcome at the PBA! Check out our upcoming events. Thank you to everyone who made last night so memorable. See you at the next one!
