Emotional Speech as Bluesfest Wins GOLD Again at NSW Tourism Awards

It was an emotional night for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble at the NSW Tourism Awards, when awarded Gold in the category for Major Festivals and Events.

This is the sixth (6th) time Bluesfest has won gold this category, winning in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022. Bluesfest was also the recipient of two silver awards for the same category in 2014 and 2012.

In 2017, after winning gold three times consecutively, Bluesfest was inducted into the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame.

Festival Director Peter Noble OAM gave a rousing speech on receiving the award, and it’s written in full below.

“We have won this award before; however, this time is different and very special.

“Everyone remembers what happened in 2020 in the world. Not everyone remembers what happened the day before our festival in 2021: we were closed by a Public Health Order.

“People were in the campgrounds, the artists were in the area, everybody was set up. Stall holders, stages, everything. That broke our hearts.

“The next year, 2022, we experienced flash flooding on our site on 28 February 2022. Only 6 weeks out of the event. Four weeks later, it happened again.

“The Bluesfest team dug deep to make the event to happen and that’s why when we win this NSW Tourism Award for Best Major Festival or Event, it is so special.

“I dedicate this award to our team. We wouldn’t have had an event without you.

“This is an award for the greatest feat I’ve ever seen a Bluesfest team do. And I honour them for that.”

ENDS

About Bluesfest

Bluesfest is an annual Australian music festival that has been held over the Easter long weekend in Byron Bay NSW area since 1990.

The festival features a large selection of blues and roots performers from Australia and around the world and is one of the world’s leading contemporary music festivals attracting each year more than 100,000 attendees.  The festival held over 5 days, annually generates significant direct and indirect economic activity for the Byron Bay and surrounding North Coast regions to the turn of $245M (2022) and $371.1M in NSW.

About NSW Tourism Awards

The NSW Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year.

Now in their 31st year (having a pause for 2020), the Awards are a submission and inspection-based program which provide the opportunity to publicly recognise and showcase the State’s finest tourism operators.

The Awards have 29 categories across the industry spectrum – attractions, festivals and events, ecotourism, tour and transport operators, marketing and accommodation and outstanding contribution from an individual.

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