The Port Fairy Folk Music Festival Committee recently announced the news that Jamie McKew, Festival Director and a founding member of the Port Fairy team, will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2016 event.
While it may be bittersweet news for those who’ve worked with McKew for the past 40 years, it present an opening for a budding music festival director to take the veteran’s place at one of Australia’s best music festivals.
“Jamie’s passion for the event will not be surpassed and, in all his years, every festival has been sold out which is testament to his skill and knowledge of the music industry,” said President of the Committee Bruce Leishman.
“The reputation of the festival has been built upon by Jamie’s enthusiasm and creativity. Many artists have been given a chance by Jamie to perform at the festival and I would hate to think of the number of acts, artists, performers that have graced Jamie’s laptop.”
“Jamie’s standing within the industry is noted worldwide and many artists from overseas, let alone our national acts, are only too willing to perform on his stage. What commenced in 1977 with 400 patrons now attracts over 15,000 artists, volunteers and patrons each year.”
The position of Program Director will be advertised within the coming weeks and the search is likely to commence this month and close on 11th December 2015. The Selection Committee is expected to conduct interviews early in January 2016 and hope to have an appointment made by the end of January.
It would be important for the new Program Director to be involved with all the activities for the 40th Festival, with a view to taking over the reins from 1st July 2016. Best of all, the new recruit will have McKew as their mentor.
