About Us

The Awakenings festival is much more than Australia's only regional disability arts festival! This dynamic, inclusive 10 day event draws performers and participants from around Australia to the welcoming community of Horsham for ten days in Western Victoria every October.

The festival welcomes and encompasses all levels of performance experience from grass roots to professional, featuring performing and visual arts that showcase the work of artists with disabilities.

But it doesn't stop there! The program also includes a breakfast conference, workshops, schools and community performances, a ball, outdoor adventures, a photographic competition, live performances at the Victoria Hotel, Awakening Roberts Place (free community festival in the street - performances, buskers, stalls, tactile art activities, wheelchair basketball, displays and more), arts project exhibitions, and a fantastic range of umbrella events: the Horsham Cup, the Orchid Show, the Spring Garden festival, the Rotary Art Show, Freeza events, the Horsham Arts Council annual production and Horsham Greyhounds, which just goes to prove that there is something for everyone in Horsham in October.

Come and experience the difference and diversity of Horsham and October and maybe take some extra time to explore the region as well.

Awakenings Team:

L to R: Bernie, Sarah & Jade, Jenny, Gavin, Jacinda, Davey

Jacinda O'Sullivan: Festival Director
Jenny Payne: Community Events Manager
Bernadette O'Shannessy: Admin Assistant / Volunteer Manager
Sarah McLean: Marketing Manager
Davey Bowe: Festival Assistant
Gavin McLean: MC Coordinator
Anita Masiero: Patron Liaison
Greg Pritchard: Community Cultural Development Officer, Horsham Rural City Council, Awakening Roberts Place Coordinator
Wimmera HUB: Workshop coordinator
Suzi Shaw: Ball Coordinator
Liz Blake: Ball Coordinator
Wimmera Health Care Group: Respite and Equipment Hire Coordination
Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly: Outdoor Adventures
Ben Ladlow: IT Manager
Ross Bullock: IT Support
Melissa Pouliot: Media Consultant
Bernadette Hetherington: Awakenings Metro Liaison Coordinator
Robert Dowlin and Nicole Jongebloed: Awakenings Regional Liaison Coordinators (SW region)