‘A Queensland Great’: Woodford’s Bill Hauritz was a visionary, and a friend of PMs

3 months ago 16

Woodford Folk Festival director Amanda Jackes remembers meeting Bill Hauritz for the first time when she was a lonely 17-year-old sculpture student still trying to find her people.

She had gone up to the then-Maleny Folk Festival as a day visitor, and Hauritz, whom she met by chance, gave her his own ticket so she could stay on.

“He said, ‘nobody’s going to kick you out with the festival director’s ticket’.

Bill Hauritz, Blanche D’Alpuget, Amanda Jackes and Bob Hawke at Woodford in 2018.

“You could see the respect that he had with the small team of organisers at that stage, and I just knew it was something I wanted to become involved with, and be part of.”

Hauritz, 71, died just three weeks before the 38th Woodford Folk Festival was due to start on December 27.

Jackes announced the news on Facebook on Monday, and her post soon attracted hundreds of comments.

Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke responded: “In the Woodford Folk Festival, he didn’t simply create a home for entertainment. He created an example of how people could live with less conflict and more care.”

Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles posted that he was deeply saddened by Hauritz’s death.

“Working closely with Bill to secure government support for the festival’s revival after COVID has been one of my proudest achievements,” Miles wrote.

His Labor government delivered a $2 million funding package for the Sunshine Coast festival in late 2024.

Dozens of musicians also offered tributes, from Paul Grabowsky, who called Hauritz “a giant”, to Katie Noonan, who posted: “This will be my 30th year in a row going to magic Woodfordia … we will all be playing and singing our hearts out for our dear Bill.”

The six-day Woodford Folk Festival involves more than 2000 performers and 438 events.

Scottish singer-songwriter Eric Bogle said: “Legend is too scant a word to describe what you achieved and the legacy you have left us,” while Shane Howard from Goanna posted: “You opened the doors and brought First Peoples into the centre of the story. Thanks friend.”

Jackes told Brisbane Times the response to news of Hauritz’s death had been “overwhelming”.

“It’s incredible to imagine just how many lives he’s touched,” she said.

One fan who spoke highly of Hauritz was former prime minister Bob Hawke, who attended 10 consecutive Woodford Folk Festivals, the final in 2018, a few months before his own death.

“Bob Hawke said [Hauritz was] one of the greatest Australians you’ll ever meet. What an incredible tribute to come from that man,” Jackes said.

She said the mood on the festival site was positive, “because there is a lot to celebrate”.

“Bill has had challenging health over the past year and a bit. So now we get to think about his whole life rather than the challenges of the recent years.”

Having retired in 2023, Hauritz suffered a stroke during last year’s festival.

He is survived by wife Ingrid, sons Tom and Jack, daughter-in-law Mel, and grandchildren Elke and Stellan.

Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek said Hauritz created opportunities for thousands of artists and arts workers, while fostering new generations of talent.

“His impact on Queensland’s art and cultural scene is immense, and he will forever be remembered as a Queensland Great,” he said.

Jackes said she was in talks with Hauritz’s family about how best to pay tribute to his life.

She said she expected there would be celebratory moments throughout the upcoming festival, such as the famous “three minutes of silence”.

“It will be a resounding silence this year.”

Woodford Folk Festival runs from December 27 to January 1, 2026, with more than 2000 local, national and international artists and musicians taking part.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.