WELCOME to The Noosa Longweekend, a 10 day festival of theatre, literature, music, dance, film, visual arts, cuisine and barrier-breaking forums – in one of Australia’s most enviable destinations: Noosa Heads, Queensland.
Now recognised as one of Australia’s foremost regional cultural events, The Noosa Longweekend was launched in 2002 by a local group of creative visionaries wanting to blend their passions with the beautiful environment that is Noosa. The festival’s founding members include prominent Australian playwright David Williamson, author Kristin Williamson, internationally renowned violinist Brett Dean, environmental activist Dr Michael Gloster, restauranteur Leonie Palmer-Fischer together with Rick Clayton and Ros McCauley.
The Noosa Longweekend presents a diverse program of events which in its seven years has attracted some of the best Australian and international performers, writers, film-makers, musicians, artists, chefs, environmentalists and commentators.
A David Williamson play has been the cornerstone of many festivals and since its inception, The Noosa Longweekend has consistently hosted a dazzling list of luminaries, including: Authors Clive James, Tariq Ali, Peter Carey, Thomas Keneally, Tim Winton and Li Cunxin; Journalists John Pilger, George Megalogenis and Barrie Cassidy; Actors Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Drew Forsyth and John Bell; Film directors Bruce Beresford and Rolf De Heer;The famed Goldner String Quartet; Academy Award winning cinematographer Russell Boyd; Singers Marina Prior, Caroline O'Connor and Opera Australia soloists;Artists Michael Leunig, Mirka Mora, Bill Leak and Ken Done;Musicians Piers Lane, Kate Miller-Heidke, Karin Schaupp and Jane Rutter; Comedians Max Gillies, Jean Kittson and Wendy Harmer;Commentators Campbell McComas, Margaret Pomerance, David Stratton, Tim Flannery and Alison Broinowsky;Presenters Maxine McKew, Peter Thompson, Geraldine Doogue and Kerry O’Brien.
Noosa’s unique natural environment and village-style atmosphere provide the inspiring backdrop for this festival that offers visitors beautiful beaches and national parks, fabulous food, cultural stimulus and community events – an experience for the body, mind and soul.
You’re invited to join us for The 2009 Noosa Longweekend 19-28 June.
Festival History
When David and Kristin Williamsons came to Noosa in 1996, the town’s credentials as an outstanding blend of built and natural environment, preserved by visionary town planning and courageous political will, was already well established.
Noosa’s rainforested headlands, golden wave washed bays and pristine river were to become the backdrop for a cultural event that until The Noosa Longweekend had been limited and largely self-generated. David, Kristin and a band of dedicated friends set about turning Noosa into a destination of cultural excellence.
“Noosa is not just a tourist destination, it's a real community, and unless you contribute to that community, you do get the feeling that you're just perpetual tourists,’’ David said.
In 2002, both David and Kristin took roles in Charitable Intent, reminiscent of their earliest ventures on stage, in the 1970s at Melbourne’s La Mama, where they first met. Authors Robert Drewe and Nick Earls drew their legions of fans in their appearance at the inaugural festival while veteran Australian actor Bryan Brown and wife Rachel Ward provided the glamour. Guitarist Karin Schaupp made her first appearance and set off a chain of events that would eventually lead to David Williamson writing a play about her inspirational grandmother, Lotte’s amazing life in Nazi Germany. Strings UnderMy Fingers opened to capacity houses at The Noosa Longweekend in 2006.
In 2003, box office increased 39% on the back of an expanded program that included David Williamson’s premiere comedy Flatfoot starring Drew Forsyth plus an extraordinarily strong literary turnout which included Australia’s two Booker Prize winning authors Peter Carey and Thomas Kenneally. Controversial expatriate journalist John Pilger packed the venue to capacity.
2004 brought another 60% jump in box office growth on top of an impressive music program led by Brett Dean, Karin Schaupp and a presentation of Beethoven’s ninth symphony. David Williamson’s Birthrights packed houses and proved again The Noosa Longweekend’s case for a larger performing arts space which in 2007 became a reality with the completion of the 320 seat auditorium at The J, Noosa’s newly built Community Centre. Author Tim Winton and cartoonist Michael Leunig proved powerful drawcards. 2004 also saw the introduction of the short film festival.
Leunig was back again in 2005 with prolific author Bryce Courtenay, comedian Wendy Harmer and the Godparents to all Australian film buffs, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton. David Williamson’s play Operator again packed out the Noosa Arts Theatre. Respected environmentalist Tim Flannery and ABC current affairs presenter Maxine McKew were amongst the impressive line up of talent. The ReelMad 24-hour film-makers competition and festival was also launched as a fringe event.
In response to community feedback about accessible and affordable events, in 2006 The Noosa Longweekend created a marquee venue in Noosa Woods. The program hosted an even greater range of artists, authors and musicians and included cartoonist Bill Leak, satirist Richard Neville, authors Nick Earls, Tara Moss and Li Cunxin. Marina Prior, returned by popular demand and David Williamson’s world premiere of Strings Under My Fingers provided an unforgettable night of Australian theatre. New Zealand’s most prolific and successful playwright Roger Hall drew capacity crowds to Noosa Arts Theatre for a play reading of his comedy Take a Chance on Me. ABC presenter Peter Thompson hosted a packed-to-capacity forum about the loss of Freedom of Expression in Australia. Prolific artist Ken Done and the head of the Australian Conservation Foundation Professor Ian Lowe were similarly great draw-cards.
The 2007 program maintained the festival's hallmarks of quality and diversity. The newly opened venue, The J, was the festival's central venue for the programs great range of performances, authors and commentators. Musical theatre star, Caroline O'Connor and flautist, Jane Rutter both captivated audiences. John Bell's one man show, ‘Moby Dick’ presented a theatre experience not easily forgotten. ABC television presenters Kerry O'Brien and Peter Thompson hosted conversations with celebrity Clive James and the most erudite Tariq Ali. Also extremely popular were adventurer Lincoln Hall, designer Jenny Kee and artist Chris O'Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa) And that was just a small fraction of the festival’s 66 highly successful events. The festival’s food related events were recognised as a Finalist in the Best Food Experience category of The Australian Travel and Tourism Awards 2007.
Bursting at the seams with 73 events and 245 performances, 2008 featured the inimitable impersonator and satirist Max Gillies; darling of the stage, Amanda Muggleton in Roger Hall’s The Book club; a capella singing sensation The Idea of North; Queensland’s internationally acclaimed physical theatre company, Circa and the award winning Brisbane Cabaret Festival production Tom Waits For No Man. ABC’s television presenter, Peter Thompson hosted sold-out conversations with top journalists Leigh Sales and Hedley Thomas while media luminary Geraldine Doogue moderated an expert panel on Happiness. Extremely popular were cooking guru Maggie Beer; comedian Kazz Cooke; eclectic music band Monsieur Camembert; twitcher Sean Dooley; social commentator Hugh Mackay and ABC political host Barrie Cassidy. Noosa Regional Gallery assembled the sensational Noosa Art Trail of Indigenous art throughout the area. A first in 2008 was a massive school holiday program, Major Minors and Finders Keepers, with some 20 creative and fun events for kids, teens and families.
The 2009 festival program is currently being compiled and promises you a lineup of quality and diversity with something for everyone.
Message from the Williamsons
Between us, we have been directly involved in creating and running four Noosa Longweekends, leaving us with many wonderful memories.
It started with a small group of friends in Noosa who became the foundation committee. When we look back now, reflecting on our naivety with this venture you could hardly say it was youthful enthusiasm!
We have indelible memories of ticketing in 2002. The box office was run from two friends’ kitchen table – who moved in the middle of the booking period. Chaos reigned, breaths were held, but everyone got their tickets. Now we laugh at the memory, but it wasn’t funny then.
In 2002, we took roles in ‘Charitable Intent’. It was reminiscent of our earliest ventures on stage, in the 1970s at little theatres like Melbourne’s La Mama. We missed cues, muffed lines – but the audiences didn’t mind and the season was extended. That was nice!
Australia has two authors who have won Booker Prizes – Tom Kenneally once and Peter Carey twice. Bringing them together at the 2003 Noosa Longweekend for a dinner conversation with 150 people at the Sheraton made national television. What a coup!
Guests such as Bruce Beresford, Bryan Brown, Robert Connolly, Jack Thompson, Robyn Nevin, John Pilger, Don Watson, Michael Leunig, Tim Flannery, Brett Dean, Gerard Willems, Piers Lane, Karin Schaupp helped build the recognition the festival enjoys today. Now it is a great honour to be Patrons of The Noosa Longweekend and to watch as the festival continues to evolve. We wish the committee every success and its patrons great enjoyment.
David Williamson Kristin Williamson
President 2003 President 2004, 2005.
NLW Committee & Staff
The Noosa Longweekend is managed by a voluntary committee who plan, program, obtain funding, adhere to corporate governance and are passionate about the ongoing success of the festival.
The committee appointed a General Manager in 2005 to oversee the general running of administration and ensure the growth of the festival.
The festival has strong community support and benefits from the generosity of many volunteers who contribute in the lead up and during the festival.
Committee
President – John Fell
Accountant – Karen Mitchell
Secretary – Marie Lewis
Member – Christine Ballinger
Member – Simon Gamble
Member – Jenny Haystead
Member – Brian Hesom
Member – Irene Krumins-Hiller
Member – Frank Wilkie
Staff
General Manager – Ian Mackellar
Administrator – Amanda Powell
