Shepparton Festival commissions, develops and presents a thrilling annual program of events encompassing performance, music, literature, visual arts and food. The Festival brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate our vibrant creative community.
A stellar arts festival that is locally treasured and valued beyond our region.
We support the development of a creative community whose members seek, see, hear, and speak truths of all kinds, with an ever-empathetic heart, an unflinching eye, an open mind, and the readiness to listen and grow. In this way, we enable and encourage our community to participate in art that strengthens and unites, while stimulating reflection and growth.
We are creative, inclusive and courageous. We value the arts, our community, our diverse histories and our strengths. We value discourse and seek influences within and beyond Greater Shepparton that can help us understand, improve, and set and achieve our goals.
Diana Fisk is an accomplished arts leader and creative producer with extensive experience across the screen, visual arts, and performing arts sectors. With a strong track record of leading purpose-driven organisations and delivering high-impact cultural events, Diana is passionate about creating spaces where art, community, and inclusion intersect. Born and raised in the Goulburn Valley, Diana’s career began at the Shepparton Art Museum, and established a deep understanding of the region’s vibrant creative landscape. Diana has since worked nationally across film, visual arts, and performance, producing award-winning documentaries for Netflix, ABC TV, and Australian cinemas, while also leading major industry summits, festivals, and community-focused programs that champion diversity and access. With her roots firmly in Shepparton, Diana brings both local knowledge and national leadership to her role, with a commitment to strengthening the Shepparton Festival as a bold, inclusive celebration of art and community.
Kristen Retallick has over two decades experience as an arts leader and creative producer. She brings a grounded, future-focused approach to programming, underpinned by care, and a deep respect for artists’ vision and expression. As Artistic Director of the Shepparton Festival, Kristen leads inclusive, ambitious programs that connect artists and audiences in meaningful ways. Her curatorial approach prioritises creative risk, collaboration, and lasting impact — designing experiences that go beyond the event itself. Kristen has held key roles across local government, education, and artist-led organisations, including Arts and Culture Team Leader at Moira Shire Council and Gallery Manager at The G.R.A.I.N. Store. She also supports First Nations-led programming through her work with Kaiela Arts and their Galnyatj education program. Deeply embedded in her community, Kristen lives in Nathalia with her young family and volunteers with her local CFA Brigade.
Tim started his working life sterilising infectious waste before graduating to weed counting, double-glazed window sales and rubbish collection. As life progressed to a less colourful state he worked as a journalist at The Age and as a government advisor before moving to the higher education sector, where he has worked for more than two decades. He is a marketing and communications consultant based in Shepparton, working with a wide range of organisations and while he believes he is untalented in most of the arts, he has a great love for them. Tim lives in Ardmona.
Mimi Leung is an artist and illustrator whose playful work weaves together the real and surreal in dynamic depictions of imaginative creatures and abstract forms.
Her multidisciplinary practise engages painting, drawing, writing and moving-image to process subconscious thoughts and feelings; applying a lens of curiosity and playfulness to the world around her as well as within. Mimi also works closely with culturally diverse and youth communities to develop their own stories using digital media.
Mimi is represented by The Jacky Winter Group and has exhibited internationally.
Peter is a qualified and practising lawyer. He previously held numerous managerial positions bio-pharma logistics (including as CEO and Managing Director). Peter has thorough understanding of commercial activities including operations, business Development, marketing, strategy, and governance. He lives in Mooroopna.
With over 20 years in the creative sector, Anita has made significant contributions to various organizations, including Multicultural Arts Victoria and Kaiela Arts. Her multifaceted expertise spans from organizational development to event management, all grounded in her commitment to equity, self-determination, and human rights.
Anita holds a Graduate Certificate in Arts and Cultural Management from Deakin University and an Associate Diploma of Music (Piano). She’s been pivotal in numerous creative projects and has a strong background in grants assessment, underscoring her dedication to the arts and community development.
Currently, as the Manager of Kaiela Arts, she’s leading a post-pandemic organizational rebuild. Anita also actively engages with her community, serving on the Shepparton Festival Board and volunteering locally.
Arti is a speech and language pathologist working in primary schools and possesses a deep passion for communication (including speech, language, and literacy) access and equity. She is also a poetic artist, producing her pod-and-videocast program Human Chapters, which sensitively explores individual lived experiences and aspirations. Arti was the recipient of the 2022 City of Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Award for her work in providing platforms such as Human Chapters, Human Book Club, and a special project with the African House. Arti lives in Numurkah.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Yorta Yorta Nation and the clans whose lands cover the area now called Greater Shepparton, the Kailtheban, Bangerang, and Nguaria-iilaiam-wurrung. We acknowledge that First Peoples have never ceded sovereignty over their lands. This always was, and always will be, their country. We are conscious that colonial laws and practices led to displacement and disempowerment, and that they continue to do so with a profound and rippling effect. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and to emerging leaders. We value their vision and strength that enabled the continuity of culture and connectedness to country.