About Us
The Newkulele Festival was established in 2012 by Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart, and has evolved into one of the leading festivals of its type in Australia. It brings together local and interstate musicians in a weekend of sharing and enjoying music and is considered by many artists to be the best ukulele festival in Australia.
Since 2018, the festival has run as an incorporated association, with a dedicated committee of volunteers ensuring the festival will grow and prosper into the future.
Our Committee
Jane Jelbart - Creative Director
Jane has been a full-time community musician since 2012, as a partner of The Sum of The Parts TSOTP (music); a community music business in Newcastle. Jane and her partner Mark Jackson, have toured successfully as ukulele teachers and folk artists to North America, Asia and England but they are passionately dedicated to community building and music education within the Newcastle and Lower Hunter region.
Jane helped establish the Newkulele Festival in 2012 and 2014. Jane then went on to be Creative Director in 2016, 2018, 2024 and now again for 2026.
Jane is also the driving force of One Song Sing which is a massive pop-up choir that has done more than 45 songs since its inception in 2017. The biggest choir gig was 1500 people last Christmas time singing "How to Make Gravy" (Paul Kelly).
Jane and her students were also featured on the ABC show "The Recording Studio" in 2019.
Nigel George - Operations
Nigel brings over 20 years of operational and project management experience to the festival committee. He is currently the Operations Manager for Newcastle Libraries and Museum, and has previously acted as the Director of Newcastle Museum.
Previous community roles include seven years with the Newcastle Writers Festival, the last three years as the Logistics Coordinator for the festival, running writers' groups and board positions in Apex.
Nigel only discovered ukulele a little over two years ago, but quickly realised it was way more fun than playing guitar. He's been a regular player in the community ever since.
Elaine Terry - Secretary
Elaine retired in 2021 after a 25-year career with the University of Newcastle. Prior to her role at the University she was the Administrator of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company.
She brings to the role as Secretary of the Newukele Festival Planning Committee her wide and deep experience and expertise as a senior administrator.
Elaine has been involved with the Newcastle Ukulele community since her retirement.
She is currently a Director of the Newcastle International Hockey Centre, has two adult children and two beautiful grandsons and a husband who puts up with her slightly out of rhythm ukulele practice and the odd wrong chord!
Lisa Moore - Social Media/Marketing
At 36, Lisa is one of the younger members of the Newkulele festival committee and excels at all things social media.
Music is an integral part of Lisa's life, having started playing the violin and learning ballet at aged 3. These days, Lisa enjoys teaching Creative And Performing Arts to primary schoolers from kindergarten to Year 6.
A valued member of the Newcastle Ukulele community for seven years, Lisa is also a key member of The Almond Milk Scandal (TAMS), a musical trio with two good mates and has performed at a few festivals during those famed open mic sessions.
Next festival, she'll keep you posted with all the exciting things the Festival has to offer. She will likely have a camera around her neck too, ready to snap some fun-filled memories of you and your mates, so come and and say hi!
Alastair Torrance - Committee Member
Alastair has worked in senior management in an international resources company as well as running a successful consulting company for over 20 years. He held a Board position in an international engineering society for 18 years which included two year terms as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President and Past President.
His involvement with the ukelele began in 2018 and he has been on the Newkulele Festival Committee in 2022 and 2024 as Chair. He's looking forward to helping the Newkulele Festival evolve into 2026.