Folk Alliance Australia were busy at the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter. Thank you to ‘The National’ for supporting FAA events at the festival, promoting our projects and work and allowing us to engage with the folk community.

FAA hosted an Australian Folk Music Awards concert in the magnificent Budawang Concert hall  featuring  Spooky men’s Chorale (People’s Choice Award), Felicity Dowd (Youth Artist of The Year),  Barry Skipsey (Traditional Album of The Year) and Monique Clare (Contemporary Album of the Year).

FAA Presented a Festival Forum  ‘Moving Festivals Forward’ with an excellent panel of speakers looking at the future and sustainability of Folk Festivals.

Guest speakers were:

Jeri Foreman (Musician UK/Aust), Zena Armstrong (Cobargo Folk Festival)  Bridget Rees (Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, David De Santi (Festival Organiser) Holly Downs (National Folk Festival) Graham McDonald (former Director National Folk Festival) and Erin Heywood & Keith Preston (Folk Alliance Australia)

FAA held our AGM at the National Folk Festival attended by almost 30 people at the National Folk Festival.  Financial and Artistic reports were tabled and the following people were elected to the FAA Committee:

President:    Keith Preston (SA)

Treasurer:     John McAuslan (Vic)

Secretary:     Cherie Harvey (SA)

General Members: Erin Heycox (Vic); Erin Collins (Tas); Therese Virtue ( Vic); Sam De Santi (Qld); Looweeze De’Ath   (WA)