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.
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!