People behind our Festival

The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival is a promoted by the not-for-profit organisation The Penola Festival Association Incorporated ABN 22 053 590 901, a Federally registered cultural organisation with deductible gift recipient status. The Arts Festival is run by a volunteer committee who give their time, skills and experience for the success of the Festival. It relies on the financial support of sponsors, friends, our community and visitors.

We are always looking for fun, creative, people to join! If you are interested, please contact us: info@artsfestival.com.au

2023 Committee: Executive

John Mossop – Chairperson
Jacinta Jenkins – Deputy Chairperson
Peta Baverstock – Joint Secretary/Social Media
Kat Searcy – Joint Secretary
Chicago Smith – Treasurer/Social Media
Cate Bell – Marketing/Website

2023 Committee: Honorary Life Members

Lois Hodge
Peter Muller

2023 Committee: Members

Alex Miles
Anna Copping – Kids Program
Anna McGregor
Benedetta Rusconi – Photo Library & EDM
Cathy Schmidt – Street Scape
Elissa Hiotis – Teen Program
Emma Castine
Jen McCulloch – Kids Program
Kathy Fennel – Editorial
Katie Moorhouse – PR & EDM
Hillary Trotter – Catherine Martin Literary Program
Peter Muller – Opera
Natalie Burgess – Graphic Design
Rachell Cheyne
Simon Weston – Music Program
Tom Edwards

The Committee is also very thankful to have an experienced group of additional volunteers, who assist in the running of the Festival, many of them past Committee members. Particular thanks to the active roles of:

Graham Adams – Public Officer
Isabell Heysen – John Shaw Neilson prize packer and hanger
Suzie Kidman – Literary Brunch
Justin McDonald – John Shaw Neilson prize packer and hanger
Marg Muller – John Shaw Neilson Prize steward
Vicki McDonald-Burgess – Penola High School coordinator
Sarah Walker – Penola High School coordinator
Andi Zerk – Café 43

We thank all of our volunteers for their generous support.