Ms Boate shined
Lismore's Maude Boate (aka Michael Gates) received a standing ovation at the 2012 DIVA Awards in Sydney on Monday, October 29.
The DIVA Awards were formerly known as the Drag Industry Variety Awards, and acknowledge the best of gender illusionism in the country.
The 2012 version of the awards saw another Northern Rivers' performer, Vanessa Wagner (aka Tobin Saunders), inducted into the DIVA Hall of Fame.
Maude Boate was also inducted in the DIVA Hall of Fame in 2007.
Ms Boate was the star of the main show at the DIVAs, accompanied by legendary drag queens Mini Cooper and Emilia Airhead.
In a conversation with Michael Gates (no make up or wig to be seen), he said he was happy with his performance in Sydney after five years away from the DIVAs.
"Everyone was lovely, although not everyone remembered me. All the young ones didn't know who the hell I was!"
"It is good to go away because people talk you up more than you can talk yourself up. You end up becoming this legend without doing anything," he said
Maude Boate's next Lismore appearance will be at the next New Year's Eve Tropical fruits party.
"I think she will be a sea horse", Michael said.
Mr Gates also teaches Certificate 4 Costume at Wollongbar TAFE.
