Mission Statement

Of the Australian Festival Association

Our aims are to make festivals safer for patrons and reduce friction between festival promoters and regulatory bodies, by aligning evidence-based practices and decades of combined industry experience with the requirements of government policy. 

We are also committed to ensuring the ongoing viability of festivals as thriving businesses, significant municipal events and sites of global cultural exchange in the interest of all Australians.

Achievements 

Since the launch of the AFA in 2018, we have been hard at work for our members. In less than two years, we are proud to report on some of our more notable achievements.

We have participated in the Coronial Inquest into Deaths at Music Festivals as an interested party to ensure industry context was considered

We co-chaired a legislated roundtable with Government and Industry Music Festival representatives and have 4 of the 10 Industry seats at that table

We have been called to give evidence at the Senate Select Committee Hearing into the Federal Government’s handling of COVID-19

Alongside the Australian Music Industry Network, launched the ilostmygig website, receiving 12,000 submissions in just over 4 weeks

Hold a position on the Executive Committee of the newly established Live Entertainment Forum (LEIF)

General Manager is on the Mass Gathering Collaboration Strategic Advisory Network.

General Manager is a Music Australia Councillor

Has received funding from NSW Health to develop Harm Minimisation Training programs for festival staff, suppliers and patrons

Is included in Industry Roundtables across the country, contributing to the sector on behalf of our members

The Australian Festival Association (AFA) was formed to represent the shared interests and importance of the Australian festival industry. The AFA is committed to delivering safe and well-run festivals around Australia and providing a framework for industry operating standards.

The AFA continues to do this by:


Connecting festival industry professionals with stakeholders and regulatory bodies

Proactively working with regulatory bodies on behalf of the festival industry

Recognising the cultural contribution festivals make to Australian society and upholding the reputation of music festivals in Australia and internationally


The AFA membership comprises of stakeholders in the festival industry from multiple sectors, including:


Promoters

Producers

Cultural organisations

Councils

Operators including production management, site management, bar operators, venues, medical management, security companies


The Australia Festival Association will work to:


Maintain an established organisation that can work with regulatory bodies on behalf of the festival industry

Provide an organisation that is accessible for all stakeholders and industry

Develop ‘best practice’ across all platforms

Represent the Industry to the media

AFA Management Committee (Board) 

The AFA’s Committee (also known as the board) was re-elected by members at the AGM in December 2021, from nominated candidates.  

Adelle Robinson

Chair

Managing Director, Fuzzy Operations

Adelle Robinson is a proud Wiradurji woman.

As Managing Director of Fuzzy Operations Adelle has over 20 years experience producing some of Australia largest festivals including Field Day, Harbourlife, Shore Thing, Listen Out and Listen In.

Christopher Reid

Treasurer

Partner, Ernst & Young

Christopher Reid is Partner within EY’s Assurance Division (Audit), and has provided professional services at EY for almost 21 years, including in the last 6 as a Partner. Chris is a passionate and devoted music fan and lover of music festivals. I live for music, the industry and the community.

Kat Holloway

Secretary

General Manager, Cattleyard

With 17 years of experience as General Manager of Cattleyard, Kathryn works on Groovin the Moo and pursues her love of management in the community sector with NGO Newtown Festival.

Danny Rogers

Director & Co-founder, Laneway

Danny Rogers is an established music industry professional with over 20 year’s experience in artist management, publishing, touring & festivals. Rogers is the Director & co-founder of Laneway Festival.

Denis Sheahan

Director, DSEM

Denis Sheahan – event manager with three decades of experience in the event industry. His current clients are some of the largest arts & music events in Australia with a strong focus on consultation.

Dianne Sneddon

Event Manager, City of Port Phillip

With over 25 years of events experience, Di Sneddon combines a very hands-on background of managing events with her current role as an Event Manager at the City of Port Phillip.

Jacqui Elmas

In-house Counsel, Chugg Entertainment

Jacqui is currently General Counsel, Chugg Entertainment (part of the Mushroom Group) where she works across the touring and festival business as well as label and artist management with Chugg Music.

Jessica Ducrou

co-CEO, Secret Sounds

Jess Ducrou is co-CEO of Secret Sounds, a Live Nation partner, and producer of Australia’s premier festivals including Splendour In The Grass and Falls Music and Arts Festival.

Kat Dopper

Founder & Director, Heaps Gay

Kat Dopper is the Founder and Director of Heaps Gay, Australia’s largest Independent LGBTQIA+ events organization which focuses on creating safe and inclusive events & festivals around Australia.

Zack Alcott

Snr Engmnt Consultant, Get Skilled Access

Zack Alcott, Senior Engagement Consultant at Get Skilled Access also sits on the board of the Dylan Alcott Foundation and manages Ability Fest – Australia’s first inclusive music festival.

Governance

The Australian Festival Association Inc. (AFA) is an NSW Incorporated Association under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act) as an “other incorporated entity”. An “other incorporated entity” includes an entity that has the same characteristics as a company but is not incorporated as a corporation’s law company.

All incorporated organisations in Australia are required to have a constitution.

 The key element of the AFA’s governance structure is the Management Committee, which operates according to the rules set out in the AFA Constitution (link below).

 The AFA’s needs have evolved over time to meet the needs of members, and the changing nature of the industry. As a result, the AFA is currently preparing a set of bylaws.

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