Here's a few words from Jon Bastin, the President of the Harbour City Bears. From Jon: "The Harbour City Bears are based in Sydney, Australia and will be celebrating its 15th year in 2010. The club has nearly 500 members. On Sunday July 12th there is the 'Bear Factory' (poster) - a party that promises to produce 'hot and happy Bears'. Then on August 22nd, there is Chunky (poster) - a party for 'beefy Blokes, furry Studs, cute Cubs and hot Daddies'.

Each Australian summer the club welcomes guests from interstate and overseas to its Bear Essentials festival held to coincide with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival. Bear Essentials 14 runs from February 26th to March 7th 2010 and events include: The launch with the Lord Mayor of Sydney; Bear Artspace, showcasing Bear and Cub Australian artists; An international Meet and Greet bar night; Bears beach day at Bondi Beach; The infamous UnderBear Party at the Oxford Art Factory, and; The Wett Fur Pool Party at one of the city’s main aquatic centers".