Beechworth's Helen Gollan speaks at Newcastle Pride foreshore parade

Helen Gollan, originally from the Hunter Valley, took part in Newcastle Pride on Saturday, February 18.

More than 100 people gathered to march and celebrate along the city's foreshore.

"In those days, it was illegal for men (and women) to be found to be homosexual," Ms Gollan said.

"We were just found out - we lost our jobs, you couldn't get housing. You had no rights with your partner.

"In 1978, we'd had a gut full and we took to the streets.

"Now, it's called Mardi Gras."

Ms Gollan spoke to the assembled crowd at the weekend and said she was overwhelmed by the response and the progress that had been made in her near-50 years of involvement with Pride.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"I nearly cried," she said,

"Sometimes, it overwhelms me because I know that people are free.

"There's a lot more to do - a lot more to do - but basically we can walk around and be free.

"We're not necessarily going to be locked up, we're not going to be murdered, we're not going be put in jail for no reason."

In a surprise gesture, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp attended the march coordinated by Newcastle Pride to present the organisation's founder, Lee McDougall with the Community Recognition Award.

WorldPride - the global LGBT celebration that has travelled to a different host city for each event since it began in 2000 - kicks off in Sydney this year marking the first time the event has come to the southern hemisphere.

The event began in Sydney last Thursday, February 17, and continues until March 5.

To read more stories, download The Border Mail news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: