WELCOME to The Noosa Longweekend, a 10 day festival of theatre, literature, music, dance, film, visual arts, food, and thought-provoking, barrier-breaking forums, that has become recognised as one of Australia’s foremost regional cultural events.
Established in 2002 by prominent Australian playwright David Williamson, his wife Kristin and former Berlin Philharmonic violinist Brett Dean, the festival continues to attract some of Australia’s best performers, writers, film-makers, musicians, artists, environmentalists and commentators.
Throughout its six-year history, the festival has hosted a star-studded guest list that includes authors Clive James, Tariq Ali, Peter Carey, Robert Drewe, Thomas Keneally, Tim Winton, Michael Leunig, Don Watson and Nick Earles; journalist John Pilger; actors Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Drew Forsyth, Campbell McComas, Henry Szeps and Jean Kittson; film directors Bruce Beresford and Rolf De Heer; the famed Goldner String Quartet, Academy Award winning cinematographer Russell Boyd; singers Marina Prior and Caroline O'Connor; artist Mirka Mora; and musicians Piers Lane, Brett Dean, Karin Schaupp and Jane Rutter.
Noosa’s unique geography and village style atmosphere provide the inspiring backdrop for this festival that offers visitors beautiful beaches, fabulous food and culture - nourishment for the body, mind and soul.
A celebration that embraces diversity, The Noosa Longweekend presents a broad program of events that entertains, enlivens and inspires its many different audiences.
We hope you will join us for our 2008 Noosa Longweekend 4-13 July.
Festival History
The Story So Far…
When the Williamsons – David and Kristin – came to Noosa in 1996, the town’s credentials as an outstanding blend of built and natural environment was already well established.
Preserved by visionary town planning ideas and courageous political will, 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. Those who sought it, traveled to Sydney and Melbourne for their fix of theatre, art and music.
David and Kristin and a band of dedicated friends set about turning Noosa into a destination recognised in its own right as a centre 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.
A Williamson play was to become the crowd drawing spine of the annual event.
In 2002, both David and Kristin took roles in ‘Charitable Intent’. It was reminiscent of their earliest ventures on stage, in the 1970s at little theatres like Melbourne’s La Mama, where they first met and fell in love. Authors Robert Drewe and Nick Earls drew their legions of fans and created a few more in their appearance at the inaugural festival while veteran Australian actor Bryan Brown and wife Rachel Ward provided the glamour. Concert 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 Under My Fingers’ opened to capacity houses and wowed critics 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 filled out the bill and packed the Australis Noosa Lakes Resort convention room to capacity for his talk.
2004 brought another 60% jump in box office growth on top of another extremely impressive music program led by Brett Dean, Karin Schaupp and a presentation of Beethoven’s ninth symphony. David Williamson’s ‘Birthrights’ again packed out every available theatre seat and proved again The Noosa Longweekend’s case for a larger performing arts space which in 2007 became available with the completion of the 320 seat auditorium at The J, Noosa’s newly built Youth and Community Centre. Author Tim Winton and philosopher/poet and cartoonist Michael Leunig proved powerful drawcards for both residents and visitors alike. 2004 also saw the introduction of the short film festival.
Leunig was back again in 2005 along with dynamic and 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 and respected environmentalist Tim Flannery and ABC current affairs presenter Maxine McKew were also among those who helped fill out 2005’s 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 the provision of more accessible and affordable events, 2006 saw The Noosa Longweekend centre around a marquee in Noosa Woods. The program packed in an even greater range of artists, authors and musicians and included the likes of cartoonist Bill Leak, satirist Richard Neville, authors Nick Earls, Tara Moss and Li Cunxin. Marina Prior, who had wowed festival audiences almost every year was back again. Williamson’s world premiere of ‘Strings Under My Fingers’ provided an historic and unforgettable night of Australian theatre and 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 television and radio 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 also popular with festival audiences.
The 2007 program maintained the festival's hallmarks of quality, intimacy and diversity. The newly opened venue, The J, was the festival's central venue which proved popular for the many forums, panel discussions and performances that took place there. The program once again offered a great range of artists, authors and commentators. Musical theatre doyenne, Caroline O'Connor, and flutist extraordinaire, Jane Rutter, captivated audiences with their superlative performances. John Bell's one man show, ‘Moby Dick’ afforded audiences a theatre experience not easily forgotten. ABC television presenters Kerry O'Brien and Peter Thompson hosted sold out conversations with Clive James and Tariq Ali. Also extremely popular were author and adventurer Lincoln Hall; designer, artist and environmental conservationist Jenny Kee; and Chris O'Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa), the man behind Mambo's iconic images. And that was just a small fraction of the 66 highly successful events presented by the festival. The festival’s inclusion of quality food related events was recognised by it being shortlisted as a Finalist in the Best Food Experience category of The Australian Travel and Tourism Awards 2007.
The 2008 festival program is currently being compiled and promises a line up 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 – Karen Mitchell
Vice President – Annie Grossman
Treasurer – Karen Mitchell
Secretary – Marie Lewis
Member – Rowland Hill
Member – Brian Hesom
Member – Claire Fell
Member – Frank Wilkie
Member – Christine Ballinger
Member – Irene Krumins-Hiller
Staff
General Manager – Gail Hewton
Administrator – Elizabeth Bray
