In a legacy of 26 years, it only took Jamie Lea and Louise Tremper three years to become the faces of the Shepparton Festival.
With Ms Lea as creative director and Ms Tremper as general manager, the pair has worked to deliver four festivals since 2019, two at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
But now, the time has come to step away.
Ms Tremper and Ms Lea started their roles in early 2019 before a whisper of COVID-19 had even been uttered, let alone taken over the world.
“We didn’t know each other back then. We were two women of different ages, backgrounds, experiences and skill sets, yet we just clicked instantly to form a really strong bond and have been able to deliver four amazing festivals, even in the face of the pandemic,” Ms Tremper said.
Although overused in every sense of the word, they did what they discovered they do best — pivoted.
Together with the festival team, they rallied on with what Ms Tremper described as a continued “glass half-full” outlook.
“It was a challenge of course ... it taught us to think bigger in the festival’s planning,” she said.
“Although we had to pull the pin halfway through in 2020, we were one of the only festivals in Australia that was able to be delivered in 2021.”
Ms Lea said the 2021 festival was “an incredible way” to celebrate 25 years.
“The pandemic itself was something enormous to navigate, but then bending and moulding and responding to all the complications and trying to produce a public, engaging, attractive, safe festival ― it was tricky,” she said.
“It was worth every minute, because what we did deliver in the winter was exceptional.”
Last year’s festival saw unprecedented measures.
As darkness fell, projections of art began appearing across Shepparton’s central business district and up the side of the Shepparton Art Museum, along with a range of murals, experiences and installations.
Along with providing local artists a platform, MS Tremper said their greatest achievements over the years included securing three multi-year agreements with Creative Victoria, Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE and Greater Shepparton City Council.
And they delivered a 2022 program with an “overhauling” of the festival’s look, complete with a new website, design and fresh ideas.
“The festival we just had this March was everything we wanted and more,” Ms Lea said.
“I’m so proud of the team. I’m incredibly proud to stand beside Alaina (Tuckett) and Louise. We’ve worked together with so many contributors to continue the legacy of Shepparton Festival and though at times it was hard, I thoroughly enjoyed every second.”
As Ms Tremper and Ms Lea step down, the Shepparton Festival is on the hunt for an amalgamation of their positions in a full-time festival director.
“It is the perfect time to finish up with Shepp Fest, it’s ready for a fresh set of eyes and perspective,” Ms Lea said.
“I can’t wait to see how the festival evolves as it grows and responds to our region ... for it to reach 30, 40 and 50 years, because it can and it should.”
For information about the role, visit https://sheppartonfestival.org.au/shepparton-festival-seeks-visionary-festival-director/