Feast Festival is proud to announce the appointment of Penny McAuley as the new Chairperson of its Board – with more than 35 years of experience across arts, culture, local government, and disability advocacy, Penny brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the organisation.
Based in South Australia, Penny’s appointment marks a significant step forward for the Festival as it continues to champion LGBTQIA+ visibility and creativity. With a deep commitment to community and inclusive leadership, Penny joins Feast at an exciting time of growth and renewal.
Born in Whyalla with family farming on Yorkes Peninsula, she has a grounded understanding of regional perspectives and the necessity for far-reaching collaboration and inclusion in decision making and with her own multi award-winning business in Adelaide, Penny is enthusiastic about dedicating her time and expertise to give back to the community.
Her previous roles include General Manager of the SALA Festival, Head of Marketing and Events at South Bank Brisbane, Program Manager of Vibrant City for the City of Adelaide, and Patron Services Executive at the Adelaide Festival Centre. With this extensive background, she brings deep insight into both the opportunities and challenges of delivering world-class festivals and events.
Penny is driven by a deep belief in the power and impact of people – in how they are treated, nurtured, and encouraged. She is passionate about creating the remarkable by building capacity in individuals, organisations, and communities.
As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Penny was appointed to the inaugural State Government Rainbow Advisory Council and has held Board roles across Adelaide and Australasia. Her lived experience, combined with decades of professional leadership, positions her as a thoughtful and visionary figure to guide Feast Festival into its next chapter.
This role is about taking responsibility and having the courage to say, what could we be doing differently, what could we be doing more impactfully and how do we bring our entire community with us along the journey. Not just because we should, but because we are stronger, more sustainable and further reaching together,” says Penny.
Feast Festival is excited to enter this new chapter with Penny at the helm and looks forward to building stronger collaborations and a bold future ahead of the 2025 Festival.
The 2025 Feast Festival will run 8 – 23 November. For more information, visit: www.feast.org.au for details.
Image: Penny McAuley (supplied)