Support, Connection, and a Voice: ‘Eventfolk’ Launches for Regional Event Organisers
Australian Centre for Regional Events Launches 'Eventfolk' to Combat Organiser Burnout and Give Regional Events a Collective Voice
The Australian Centre for Regional Events (ACRE) today announced the launch of Eventfolk, a vital new national community designed to combat the intense isolation and burnout faced by regional and rural event organisers.
Eventfolk is ACRE's answer to the rising pressures threatening the survival of events across regional Australia - from escalating costs and climate change challenges to overwhelming compliance and volunteer fatigue. It offers a dedicated platform for connection, collaboration, and collective advocacy.
A Support System for Unsung Heroes
Regional events are the lifeblood of their communities, driving local economies and celebrating local culture. Yet, the passionate locals who run them often work with little industry support or training, leading to stress, isolation, and unsustainable practices.
Eventfolk is specifically designed to be the ‘built-in backup’ for these unsung heroes. It is not a course or a quiet forum, but an ongoing, living resource structured to help organisers stop trying to ‘do it all’ and start planning with confidence. Members gain access to shared wisdom, peer-to-peer support, and expert knowledge to simplify complex tasks.
‘We are continually getting calls for help from organisers thinking of calling it quits,’ said Cathy Treasure, Eventfolk Co-founder. ‘There are tears, frustration, and pressure. Often, just having someone to talk to who understands the hidden mental load of event management can make all the difference.’
Collaboration Over Competition
ACRE was founded by industry veterans Cathy Treasure and Linda Tillman, who together have delivered, funded, or trained over 300 regional events. Their deep understanding of the industry highlights the need for a unified approach.
‘I'm a strong believer in collaboration rather than competition,’ Treasure added. ‘We’ve witnessed events in neighbouring towns competing for the same volunteers and attendees. We want to change that, fostering a network where organisers coordinate calendars, support, and strengthen each other's efforts.’
Giving Regional Australia a Powerful Voice
Beyond practical support like a Grant Tracker and Expert Spotlight Sessions, a core mission of Eventfolk is to elevate the status of regional events by offering them a powerful, collective voice.
‘There is currently no unified voice for the thousands of small-to-medium events held throughout regional and rural towns,’ Tillman explained. ‘Eventfolk will bring them together to gain real insights and up-to-date data, allowing us to lobby for what is genuinely needed to ensure their survival into the future.’
ACRE aims to use this collective momentum to produce an annual Regional Events Scorecard, reporting on the state of the industry and facilitating crucial change at the policy level.
Event organisers are invited to join the community and find out more via here.