Festival Board

Serge Carnovale - Artistic Director 2024

Serge is the founder and current owner of Melbourne’s Paris Cat Jazz Club which was established in 2005. The venue features over 600 shows a year and plays an important part in developing Australian jazz and blues musicians.

Andrew Nunn - Chair

Andrew is the Sole Director of Sleep Right Australia for 14 years. He plays Double Bass. Andrew studied Biomedical Science and Commerce (Management) at Notre Dame Fremantle. He has lived in Wangaratta for close to 10 years.

Daniel Peacock - Treasurer

Daniel is an Experienced Licensed and Registered Club manager currently the General Manager of the Wangaratta Club Inc. He comes with previous experience in co-ordinating Music Festivals and live entertainment.

James Dunne - Secretary

James comes to the Festival Board with long experience working in health and community development roles within government, non-government and university sectors in Australia, Hong Kong and Scotland. He has also extensive experience working with and being part of boards of governance. He brings to the Festival a passion for live music and for helping make Wangaratta a vibrant place to live.

Sarah Thompson - Director and Fundraising

Sarah has a background in community programs, philanthropy, and fundraising. She currently works for La Trobe University and has led philanthropic efforts in North East Victoria. Holding degrees from Melbourne and Georgetown University, she resides in Wangaratta with her family.

Leslie Bolitho - Director

Les is a Consultant Physician in Internal Medicine and has lived and worked in Wangaratta for over 40 years. A Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with experience in governance of member-based organisations. He served on the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz Board previously in the 1990s.

Kieran Crichton - Director

Dr Kieran Crichton comes to the Festival from a varied background of music and community work. After studies at Melbourne University he worked in church music and administration, leading to his appointment as Director of Music at HolyTrinity Cathedral, Wangaratta. He teaches piano at Cathedral College Wangaratta.

Rodney Barnett - Director

Previously admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the ACT and a Barrister of the High Court of Australia. Former Presidentofthe ACT Law Society and a member of the Law Council of Australia.

Acted in the above capacitiesfor in excess of 45years. Retired from practice in 2022. Specialized in Commercial law and Trusts. Previous experience in Company Law and Business Law.

Retired to live in Wangaratta since March 2023 and was a volunteer at the 2024 Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.

Jenny Hart - Director

Jenny joins the festival board for the first time in 2025. She currently works for GOTAFE and has a background in local government and private industry, working in the discipline of asset management for the past several years. Residing in Wangaratta since 2022 after returning from studying and working in the US, she became involved with the Jazz Festival within months or arriving to Wangaratta by hosting a couple from Melbourne through the former home-stay program of the festival. Jenny is still in touch with the same couple to this day. Jenny is keen to see the newly emerging Jazz Festival thrive, offering Wangaratta live music opportunities and attracting new people to the festival.

Emma Christie - Director

Emma grew up with the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues — first as a local, then as a performer, and now as a member of the board. With experience on both sides of the stage, she brings a distinctive perspective on what makes festivals meaningful, and how they connect artists, audiences, and communities.

She holds a double degree in Media Communications and Music from Monash University, and works as a publicist across some of Melbourne’s leading festivals and cultural events, including St Kilda Festival, YIRRAMBOI, Melbourne Fringe, and Midsumma.

Emma’s dual background as an artist and communications professional informs her approach to the board, where she is committed to championing the next generation of performers and helping the festival evolve while staying true to its roots.

Brett Tannahill - Director

Brett brings event experience drawn from international sport, music and the corporate world. Having recently moved to Wangaratta and with a love of music, his desire to help bring quality music to the Wangaratta community drives his involvement with the Festival Board.