The annual Illawarra Folk Festival consists of four exciting summer days of folk, world, roots, bluegrass, gypsy, and Celtic music, as well as poetry, comedy, and dance. Set in the spectacular northern Illawarra Escarpment in Bulli Showground, the festival has 11 onsite venues and is a family friendly village with action from early morning to late night. With superb music from 150 international, national and local artists performing in over 320 concerts there’s also a colourful array of international food stalls, craft stalls, and the festival bar. Camping is available on-site. The 2020 event was the 35th Illawarra Folk Festival.
The interviews were conducted by Jo Oliver and Jennifer Macey.
To celebrate the 2027 40th anniversary of the festival two longer interviews were conducted by Helen Wilson with people involved in the organisation about the history of the festival.
Listen to the Illawarra Folk Festival Interviews:
Russell Hannah – Founder/Elder/Poet
Russell’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Russell’s interview transcript.
Russell’s audio interview
David de Santi – Artistic Director
David’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
David’s interview transcript.
David’s audio interview
Martyn Hopkins – Volunteer
Martyn’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Martyn’s interview transcript.
Leo Coleman – Long-term Attendee
Leo’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Leo’s interview transcript.
Melanie Stjepanovic – Volunteer
Melanie’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Melanie’s interview transcript.
Maree Miller – Long-term Attendee
Maree’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Maree’s interview transcript.
Matthew Black – Singer
Matthew’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Matthew’s interview transcript.
Graeme Morrison – Secretary of the Illawarra Folk Club
Graeme’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Graeme’s interview transcript.
Graeme’s audio interview
Keith and Liz Lowell – Volunteers
Keith and Liz’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Keith and Liz’s interview transcript.
Anne Lehmann-Kuit – Educator
Anne’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Anne’s interview transcript.
Gail Norris – Social Media Manager
Gail’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Gail’s interview transcript.
Susan Richardson – Performer
Susan’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Susan’s interview transcript.
Peg Ryan and Suzi Krawczyk – Performers
Peg and Suzi’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Be a digital volunteer and help edit the computer generated transcript of Peg and Suzi’s interview using Amplify:
Peg and Suzi’s interview transcript
John and Keelan Spillane – Performers
John and Keelan’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
John and Keelan’s interview transcript.
Roland Stefen – Instrument Maker
Roland’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Roland’s interview transcript.
Melinda Wishart – Performer
Melinda’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Be a digital volunteer and help edit the computer generated transcript of Melinda’s interview using Amplify:
Melinda’s interview transcript
Kathryn Orton – Artist
Kathryn’s audio interview can be downloaded here.
Kathryn’s interview transcript.
The Illawarra Folk Festival’s Photo Album
Keywords
Illawarra Folk Festival – Illawarra Folk Club – Folk Music – Bulli Showground – Folk School – Volunteers – Performers – Musicians – Honk Oz – Instruments
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