Newcastle Fringe is here for the bold, the brave, the independent and the in-between. We exist to champion independent artists and showcase the wild, wonderful world of independent arts right here in Newcastle. We’re proudly not-for-profit and unapologetically passionate about being the best little fringe we can be — connected to the global Fringe family but with our own unique Newcastle edge.
We’re about creating space — literal and metaphorical — for artists to experiment, express and connect. From cabaret to comedy, theatre to thought-provoking performance, we invite artists and audiences from near and far to join us for a festival that’s a little off-centre and a lot full of heart.
Here’s what drives us:
- Leading and nurturing a vibrant indie arts scene in Newcastle
- Making space for new work to be developed, staged and celebrated
- Hosting an annual Fringe festival with open-access roots and a curious spirit
- Building bridges with like-minded creatives, collectives and culture-lovers from around the world
- Supporting independent artists and arts workers with real-deal professional development
- Putting Newcastle on the map as a must-stop destination for performers and punters chasing that Fringe fix
Volunteer Board of Directors
CHAIRPERSON:
Rebecca Fitzgibbons
Responsibilities: Governance & Strategy, Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement, Funding & Sustainability
Rebecca is Chair of Newcastle Fringe Festival and brings extensive experience in governance, strategy, enterprise risk and organisational leadership across government, consulting and financial services.
She is passionate about helping purpose-driven organisations create lasting social and cultural impact. At Newcastle Fringe Festival, Rebecca works alongside the Board, staff and volunteers to build a resilient organisation that creates opportunities for independent and emerging artists, expands audiences and strengthens Newcastle’s vibrant cultural community.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Economics with First Class Honours and a Graduate Certificate in Risk Management. She enjoys working with boards to shape strategy, foster trusted partnerships and help organisations realise their purpose.
Outside the boardroom, Rebecca loves discovering new artistic work and celebrating the creativity, diversity and connection that live performance brings to community life.
VICE CHAIR:
Nikki Abercrombie
Responsibilities: Destination Strategy, Tourism Industry Liaison and Volunteer Engagement Program
Nikki is the owner and Director of Abercrombie Management, a global events management company.
She has 25 years of experience in event design and production and is passionate about creating events that connect people, inspire ideas, and improve lives.
Nikki leads Newcastle Fringe’s communications and its volunteer recruitment and retention program that engages over 150 volunteers to provide event support and good vibes at each festival.
She enjoys helping build and support her local community as a Board Member of the Lake Macquarie chapter of the Awesome Foundation and is an active member of the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group.
BOARD DIRECTOR:
Brooke Twyford
Responsibilities: Board Governance, Contracts, Venue Management, Event Planning and Management
Brooke Twyford is an accomplished and passionate multi-media executive with oodles of operations management experience and proven success across world-class brands and startups. She spent nine years in New York, where she was a key member of the leadership team for the News and Sports Group at Time Inc, working on iconic magazines including TIME, Fortune and Sports Illustrated.
Brooke was featured as a distinguished graduate at the University of Newcastle’s Celebrating 50 Years Exhibition at Newcastle Museum, was an international leadership finalist in the UoN Alumni Awards and is a previous winner of TIME President’s Entrepreneurship Award. She completed Time Warner Board Assist Training in NYC and, back home, joined the Australian Institute of Company Directors. of Company Directors.
An experienced board member with a focus on the not-for-profit sector, Brooke is a founding board member and has served as Chair of Newcastle Fringe for five years. In this role, she saw growth go from 4500 attendees in 2022 to over 18000 in 2026. She has led board governance, contracts, venue management and programming, bringing strategic oversight and hands-on operational expertise to one of Newcastle’s major arts and cultural events. She looks forward to continuing to contribute to the success of Newcastle Fringe.
BOARD DIRECTOR:
Daniel Greer
Responsibilities: Treasurer
Daniel is a CPA-qualified finance, governance, and risk professional with more than 20 years’ experience across accounting, audit, financial services, and organisational governance. He brings expertise in financial stewardship, strategic planning, compliance, risk management, and board reporting, along with a practical approach to helping organisations make informed decisions and achieve sustainable outcomes.
A long-time supporter of Newcastle’s arts and music scene, Daniel joined the Newcastle Fringe Board to combine his professional skills with his passion for the local creative community and the important role it plays in making Newcastle a vibrant place to live.
Outside of work, Daniel is the father of three energetic children who keep him busy with sport, school, and weekend adventures. He enjoys spending time at the beach, swimming, attending live music and arts events, cheering on the Newcastle Knights, and catching up with friends over the occasional beer.
BOARD DIRECTOR:
Isabelle Hazell
Responsibilities: Board Governance, Legal and Compliance, Public Donation Campaign and Social Media
Isabelle is proud to have grown up in Newcastle where she was a part of the city’s community theatre scene, performing in several productions with Young People’s Theatre.
Currently, Isabelle is a pro bono lawyer specialising primarily in advising not-for-profit organisations and charities on corporate structuring, corporate governance, eligibility for tax concessions and fundraising obligations.
Isabelle is passionate about the arts community in Newcastle and has assisted a number of arts organisations in her professional role. In her spare time, Isabelle volunteers on the fundraising committee for Arts Law Centre Australia, a community legal centre that provides pro bono legal advice to artists and musicians.
She is also the co-founder of triple thread, a conscious living platform publishing the latest in ethical and sustainable fashion news.
BOARD DIRECTOR:
Carol Duncan
Responsibilities: Community Engagement
Carol Duncan OAM is a respected broadcaster, writer, and community leader based in Newcastle. With more than 30 years of experience in radio, media, and public engagement, Carol has earned a strong reputation for her commitment to arts and culture, advocacy, and public service.
Carol served as an elected Councillor on the City of Newcastle from 2017 to 2024, dedicating seven years to shaping policy, championing the creative industries, and supporting inclusive, community-led initiatives. During this time, she was a consistent advocate for the live music scene, public art, heritage conservation, and social justice.
In addition to her time as a Councillor, Carol served as Chair of both the City of Newcastle’s Public Art Reference Group and Community and Culture Advisory Committee, working closely with artists, experts, and community members to foster meaningful cultural outcomes across the city and its suburbs.
Carol was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2024 for her service to the community of Newcastle. Her work reflects a deep passion for collaboration, equity, and civic pride, and she is widely recognised for her ability to connect people, ideas, and stories in ways that uplift and inspire.
BOARD DIRECTOR:
Steve Wilson
Responsibilities: Artist Representative
Steve is a writer and performer with a background in local theatre and community arts since the 1980s, and was the last arts officer for Newcastle’s Workers Cultural Action Committee. He holds a BA Hons from the University of Newcastle, a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of New England, and a Graduate Certificate in Voice Studies from the University of Melbourne.
Steve taught theatre history, voice studies, technical theatre, and modern cinema at the Regional Institute of Performing Arts, TAFE Newcastle.
In recent years, he toured his one-person show Camino Man from the 2021 Newcastle Fringe through regional NSW and major fringe festivals in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Wellington (NZ), Avignon (France), and culminated in a three-week season at Edinburgh Fringe in 2025. He also wrote and performed Don’t Touch Me! A Tale of Cats and Hugs and is currently developing his third solo show.
BOARD DIRECTOR:
Kirsten Lea
Responsibilities: Marketing Strategy, Market Research & Reporting
Kirsten is a brand and marketing professional with a deep passion for community, culture and the arts. She brings extensive experience delivering brand, marketing and communication strategies for government, cultural and commercial projects across Australia and the United Kingdom.
Kirsten has led campaigns that connect people through creativity, storytelling and shared experiences. Skilled in brand strategy, market research, stakeholder engagement and event delivery, she enjoys collaborating to bring ideas to life and inspire community pride.
A proud advocate for Newcastle’s creative scene, Kirsten is passionate about shaping a vibrant, inclusive
and culturally rich city through events that celebrate originality and connection.
Founder – Phil Aughey
The Newcastle Fringe Festival was founded in 2016 by Phil Aughey, inspired by the creative energy and inclusiveness of the Edinburgh Fringe. Phil was determined to create something similar for Newcastle – a space where independent artists could share their work, connect with audiences, and celebrate the city’s creative spirit.
Phil is the Administrator and Director of Anvil Creek Theatre, author of The Red Dust, and an accomplished writer, actor, director and pianist. His theatre works include The Exchange, Chopin’s Last Tour, Islands in a Sea of Confusion, and The Rothbury Riots Re-Enacted.
The first Newcastle Fringe Festival was self-funded by Phil and brought to life with the help of friends. That inaugural festival sold around 600 tickets, planting the seeds for a vibrant future. In 2019, Phil established a board of directors, recognising the festival’s rapid growth and the need for broader expertise. Over the next five years, Newcastle Fringe evolved into a registered not-for-profit, expanding its venues, diversifying its art forms, and attracting larger audiences and a growing base of artists.
In 2025, Phil stepped down from the board, leaving behind a thriving, community-driven festival that continues to embody his founding vision – to celebrate creativity, nurture local talent, and contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of arts and culture in the Hunter region.
Sub-Committee Contributors
PR & COMMUNICATIONS:
Liane Morris
Liane Morris is a seasoned communications and arts marketing professional with a background spanning senior marketing, publicity, sponsorship, and event management roles across the arts, entertainment, and media industries. With a degree in Drama from the University of Newcastle, and a Diploma in Arts & Entertainment Marketing, Liane’s career reflects a deep connection to creativity and community. Her work supports festivals, creative industries, and youth-focused projects, alongside women-led businesses. Liane’s broad experience has honed her ability to craft compelling narratives and deliver impactful campaigns and has included working with respected brands such as Sydney Symphony, Riverside Theatres, Canberra Glassworks and the ABC. She has also played a significant role in elevating Newcastle’s arts and cultural landscape, through her work with Newcastle Fringe Festival, Hunter Drama and WCP Media (Intouch Magazine, Your Hunter Valley & Hello Newy).
MARKETING SUPPORT:
Dave Young
Dave Young is the principal owner of What does dave think? an e-business consulting company that advises multinational corporations on digital business transformations. Dave has 25 years of experience running digital marketing efforts for Fortune 500 companies and has been named a Top 100 E-Business Executive and Top Commercial Web Innovator. A strategist with success and recognition in E-business and E-commerce, extensive combined experience in marketing, web and IT project management and execution across graphic design and Internet development disciplines. Born in the United States he has worked for international companies and taken work assignments in France and China. He has been a resident of Newcastle for the last 5 years gaining Australian Citizenship in 2022. In addition to his consulting business he also performs the role of Business Manager for the recording artists Makeout.