Home / Arts and Entertainment / Folk Festival Visionary Bill Hauritz Dies at 71
Folk Festival Visionary Bill Hauritz Dies at 71
9 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Bill Hauritz founded the iconic Woodford Folk Festival in 1987.
- The festival now attracts 120,000 guests and 2,000 artists annually.
- Hauritz championed environmentalism and Indigenous culture.
- UNESCO recognized Woodfordia for intangible cultural heritage.
- He received an Order of Australia (AM) in 2005.
Bill Hauritz, the driving force behind Australia's renowned Woodford Folk Festival, has passed away at the age of 71. Hauritz founded the festival in 1987 as the Maleny Folk Festival, which has since grown into a significant cultural event on the Sunshine Coast. Today, the six-day festival welcomes approximately 120,000 attendees and 2,000 artists, solidifying its status as Australia's largest annual gathering of its kind.
Hauritz's vision for the festival extended far beyond entertainment, focusing on environmental stewardship, Indigenous culture, and intergenerational learning. This commitment led to initiatives like 'The Planting' and Woodfordia's ambitious 500-Year Plan. In recognition of its cultural significance, Woodfordia received the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Award in 2023.
Throughout his career, Hauritz received numerous accolades, including the Order of Australia (AM) in 2005 for his service to the community and the arts. He was also honored as a Smithsonian Fellow and received the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award. His passing marks the end of an era for Australian arts and live events.
