Our community is very precious to us – find out about us and how you can join in, make friends, and become part of the community.
Our Community
Vinegar Hill draws people from near and far, from grandparents to mokopuna. Some have been coming for decades, and every year there are new faces and new returns.
The Vinegar Hill community is diverse and varied, all genders, ages, sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds, from all around Aotearoa and beyond. We value the differences between us, as well as our shared histories and experiences.
Check out the 2023 Vinegar Hill Census Report to find out more about the Vinegar Hill Camp community.
Note: Transphobia, misogyny, racism, and other discriminatory nonsense is not welcome at camp. We love and cherish all our Rainbow whānau.
Community Life
Ryan’s Social Spot
You will find a big community table near the bathroom block at the southern end of the campground, where you can make a cup of tea or coffee and meet other campers!
Bring your breakfast and come say hi!
Community Events
Usually there are a series of events from Christmas to New Years Eve. This can include Fashion of the Fields competition and runway, Pick a Purse, the annual ‘girls vs boys’ softball game (trans folks welcome, non-binary people choose which team to join).
Some years have seen film screenings, lube wrestling, cooking competitions, gay bingo, queer quiz, and parties with various themes hosted by different campsites. Most events are family friendly, some are adult themed (generally after 8pm).
New Year’s Eve Party
Entertainment usually kicks off around 8pm with the lighting of a huge bonfire and a series of competitions on stage, such as best buns and best boobs. This is followed by performances, from poetry to drag shows to folk bands to metal and hip hop, to queer burlesque striptease. Both fresh new amateur acts and seasoned professionals among the community.
Around 11pm entertainment switches to DJ Aaron, then shortly before the new year count down prizes are given for the Best Campsite, Best Costume, and other awards, followed by the coronation of the new Queen, and a dance party till 2am.
Get Involved
Host a Community Event
If you would like to host a community event or party at your campsite or in the communal area, please talk with the Queen in advance so it can be put on the community notice board program. You can contact the Queen in the Facebook group during the year, or in person at The Palace (at camp).
Perform on New Years Eve
You don’t have to be a professional to perform on New Years Eve! You could offer your poetry, singing, drag show, a competition, MC skills, stage management, or any other help with the entertainment. Please talk with the Queen – there is usually a performers meeting a day or 2 before NYE.
Medics
If you have first aid or medic training and could assist in an emergency, please contact the Queen.
Adults Maze
Some years people have set up a discreet adults only maze with safer sex supplies, provided by Burnett Foundation and NZPC Sex Workers’ Collective. The maze is for those who prefer to take new friends somewhere other than their tent at night. If you’d like to help with this, talk with the Queen.
The Queer History of Vinegar Hill
Six gay men first camped at Vinegar Hill in January 1975 or 1977, a decade before Homosexual Law Reform decriminalised being gay in 1986.
By the early 1980s, Vinegar Hill had developed it’s own culture. The first Queen, Bill Armstrong, was appointed in 1985 to reign at the 1986 camp, by Mal Vaughn of Wellington’s gay bar Scotty and Mal’s (or S&M’s).
Initially, the idea of “Queen of Vinegar Hill” was based on a comedic idea of beauty queens, but this later developed into an idea of appointed royalty. Some of the early coronations were recorded under their drag names.
The Queen of Vinegar Hill
Members of The Queens Council hold a meeting on December 31st each year to elect a new Queen. The new Queen is crowned shortly before midnight during the New Year celebration, and will reign during the following year’s celebrations.
The duties of the Queen include liaising with the Manawatu district Council, organising the stage, MC, performers and entertainment, and wood collection for the New Year bonfire, collecting the Queen’s taxes, etc. The Queen’s name is engraved on the Vinegar Hill Queens’ trophy.
To be elected Queen, a person must have attended for at least 5 years, and have provided significant service to the Vinegar Hill community.
The Queens’s Council
The Queen’s Council is made up of former Queens. As well as nominating and electing the new Queen each year, it is the job of the Queen’s Council members to advise and assist the Queen in organising for community life at camp.
Previous Queens include: Wellamiena Armstrong, Mal Kennedy-Vaughan, Pearl Pawson, A-Malcolm-B, Wanda Wilkinson, Dorothy Gibbs, Lilac Draper, Mike “Bikie Binzi” Binis, Slimmy Simmy, Sheela Shitface Johnston, Daniel Fielding, Ian Heteraka, Lyn and Heather, Jimmi Hart, Kim and Chris, Neil Day, Geoff Robinson, Calum Bennachie, Colin Waterhouse, Toni Farrow, Marc Smith, (Celine) Dion Leslie, Jenni James, Daniel Corney, Aaron King, Lynette Knox, Murray Smith (Muriel), Andrew Morgan (Nurse Gladys), Shane Young, David Playle, Iria Pene, Andrew Fletcher, Ian and Tisha Klien, Gary Duncan, Jamie Gardner, Shayno Baron, Samantha Harrison, and Patsy Gibson.
Vinegar Hill Camp 