Our Judges
The Australian Drag King Community Awards Night is guided by a panel of respected judges drawn from across Australia’s queer performance, arts, and cultural sectors. Our judges bring deep knowledge of Drag King artistry, community leadership, and gender‑diverse creative practice. Their role is to review nominated performers and venues with care, integrity, and cultural sensitivity - assessing creativity, impact, innovation, and contribution to queer storytelling. Working alongside community voting, the judging panel ensures each award reflects both the voices of the Drag King community and the expertise of industry leaders. Together, they help honour the performers who elevate King culture and shape the future of gender‑diverse performance in Australia.
Naomi Palmer
Photo by Prez Images
In Naomi’s long career, she has worked in many sectors of the workforce since coming to Sydney from a tiny fishing village on the far north coast of NSW. As a Jill of all trades, she's been a qualified motor mechanic, an extensive TV and radio voice-over artist, a call centre customer service agent, and a face painter for Ronald McDonald House. In her many charity endeavours, Naomi has used her singing talent for the last 26 years as a co-host for the ever-popular gay night Bingay. Along with drag queen Charisma Belle, together, the duo deliver a rambunctious and unforgettable night of bingo and balls. One of gay sydney’s much loved community events, Bingay is also a fundraiser for ACON, NSW's leading HIV prevention.
Photo by Nathan J Lester
Sparklemuffin
Based on the unceded lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people in Canberra, Sparklemuffin has been performing as a drag king for over 21 years. Expanding into burlesque and performance art, they now blend these disciplines in their work. Over the years, they have facilitated drag king workshops, mentored emerging kings, and received a local Pride Award in 2008 for their contribution to the drag king community. Sparklemuffin has been a five-time finalist in Mx Burlesque ACT, placing third in 2024. They won Miss Kitka's House of Burlesque's Most Kreative Kitten award in 2016 and were runner-up in The ApprenTease ACT in 2026. A practising visual artist, they have presented solo and group exhibitions, including the drag king-focused Mr Green Teal and Friends in 2012. They are also a producer and founder of The Queer Variety Show, a showcase of queer, disabled, and ally performers that has been running for three years. Their greatest achievement is their longevity and perseverance within the drag king community, particularly during periods when they were the only active king in their local scene.
Marketing DirectorEleanor Parks
Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.
Customer Service ManagerKarl Holland
Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.