Committee members
Current Committee members include:
-
Marie Colless - Acting President
-
Tanya O'Hara - Treasurer
-
Kathryn Hogan - Secretary and Public Officer
-
Ros Noakes - Acting Vice President
-
Margaret Watts
-
Nellie Hayes
-
Lydia Roberts
-
Emma Hooper
-
Jane Bercini
-
Lesley Nies
-
Annie Abbott
-
Maxine Mitchell
-
Joy Berwick
-
Jodie Ryan
Festival Outcomes
The festival is a cultural and community event held annually attracting up to 5000 visitors to the festival and open gardens. It features our wonderful New England Gardens, and musicians, community choirs, entertainment, creative workshops, speakers, competitions, food and drink stalls at the festival.
Economic Impact
In 2025, the economic impact of the festival (determined by Destination NSW) benefitted to the New England region.
2025 Festival/Armidale Open Gardens:
-
Direct Economic Benefit = $548,000
-
Indirect Economic Benefit = $326,000
-
Total Benefit = $874,000
2025 Open Gardens in Uralla, Glen Innes, Tenterfield:
-
Direct Economic Benefit = $216,000
-
Indirect Economic Benefit = $133,000
-
Total Benefit = $349,000
Regional Value-Add: $1,223,000 boost to the regional economy.
-
Visitor Nights: 390 nights (2025 actual) (Provided in a REMPLAN Report 9 April 2026)
Raising funds for the Community
Since its inception in 2023, the New England Garden Festival has raised significant funds (over $90,000) for local and regional community groups and charities—organisations that provide essential care, support, and connection to our community, one kind act at a time. This has been achieved by community groups contributing their labour at the festival as well as donations to community organisations.
In 2025, the Committee selected a range of local Armidale organisations to receive donations. In 2026, Armidale recipient organisations are selected from a pool of applicants. Additionally, organisers in each Garden Trail town choose their own local recipients to benefit from open garden entry fees.
From 2025, open garden entry fees are split 50/50 between the nominated charity and the garden owners, recognising the tremendous time, effort and cost contributed by those who generously open their gardens.
Festival Patron - Brendan Moar
Brendan Moar is a multi-talented TV host, landscape architect, writer, occasional actor, and photographer. Growing up in Armidale, NSW, he developed a passion for photography and pursued it professionally before completing a degree in Landscape Architecture—blending his love of the environment and design.
Brendan has worked with international design firm Hassell on large-scale public projects and has appeared in several television shows. He continues to design gardens, author books (Grounded 2005 and Green 2011), contribute to Inside Out magazine, MC corporate and charity events, conduct design workshops, photograph landscapes, and develop garden tours.
Festival Founder - Lou Forsythe
A heartfelt tribute to Lou, the visionary who founded the New England Garden Festival in 2023. What began as her bright idea to bring the community together has blossomed into a much-loved annual event brimming with fun, learning, and inspiration.
But it’s not just about gardens. Lou started this festival to raise money to support cancer patients in our region — a cause close to many hearts. Thanks to her passion and hard work, the festival has made a real difference and brought people together in the best of ways.
Lou, thank you for dreaming big and making it happen. Your energy and community spirit have created something truly special — and it keeps growing every year.
