Byron Bay Writers’ Festival director Jonathan Parsons says he’s leaving the job on a high note.
This year’s festival was one of the most successful events in the festival’s 16-year history, says the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, which stages the event. Chair of NRWC, Chris Hanley, paid tribute to Mr Parsons and said he had done a wonderful job as festival director.
‘Jonathan was contracted on short notice for this year’s festival, and the committee and the community wish to thank him for all his hard work.’
The NRWC claims its finances stabilised after extreme financial difficulties after last year’s festival. The centre can now revert to its former structure, which includes an overall director of the centre and the festival. A new director will be announced next week.
Mr Parsons will be leaving to take up two projects, one in Brisbane and one in Sydney. In Brisbane he will be producing the opening for the new Science and Technology Centre at the Queensland University of Technology, and in Sydney will be the director of ISEA2013. ISEA2013 is an international festival of electronic art and ideas that will take place in Sydney in June 2013, alongside Vivid Sydney.