Brendon de Kauwe is a values driven events and marketing leader, currently the Events & Marketing Manager at Monash University and the Managing Director of Dragged To, an Australian drag entertainment and events company.
Opal Essance is a performer and events and tour coordinator with Dragged To, touring shows across the country.
Driven by a clear commitment to equality and equity, Dragged To focuses on building platforms and career opportunities for drag and trans performers, with a particular focus on bringing safe, joyful, community led events to regional towns across Australia, partnering with charities and raising funds for organisations including Thorne Harbour Health, Beyond Blue, Bully Zero, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Brendon also prioritises intergenerational connection and community care. Alongside creating platforms for emerging artists, he creates moments that honour and celebrate queer elders—ensuring the community’s history, resilience and leadership are visible and valued.
Brendon, and Opal talk about why regional representation matters and the real difference it makes in towns where young people often have nowhere to feel seen, the line between genuine inclusion and performative allyship, diversity as the foundation of the business, events as a form of mental health and connection, and Dragged To’s plans for the future, including mentoring the next generation of kings, queens, and performers.