The People Who Built the Festival

Dorothy Teale | President of the Glenreagh School of Arts

Before the crowds, before the packed program of events, before the festival became one of the Clarence Valley’s most anticipated annual celebrations, there were volunteers. People willing to brave freezing mornings, solve impossible problems, and give countless hours to bring a community vision to life. Dorothy Teale was one of them.

Having lived in Glenreagh for more than 36 years, Dorothy has been deeply connected to the community and its organisations. Today, she remains involved through the Glenreagh School of Arts, but many locals will remember her as one of the people who helped guide the Glenreagh Timber Festival through some of its most important early years. “We ran it for three years,” Dorothy recalls. Alongside fellow organisers Jenny and Olga, Dorothy helped lead the festival during a period of significant growth and change. “It was a lot of hard work, but we had a lot of fun.”

The Early Days

When Dorothy talks about the early Timber Festivals, there’s a sense of nostalgia and pride. “It was rough and ready,” she laughs. The event was built on determination, community spirit and a willingness to make things happen. One of Dorothy’s strongest memories isn’t a headline attraction or special guest.

It’s standing in the cold. “I can remember one July morning. It must have been minus four degrees at 4:30 in the morning, and we were up there directing traffic and freezing our butts off.” Those early starts became part of the experience for the volunteers who worked behind the scenes. Long before the gates opened and visitors arrived, local community members were already hard at work making sure everything ran smoothly.

A Festival Like No Other

The early Timber Festivals had a character all their own. Dorothy remembers the Carlton Brewery bus becoming one of the most popular attractions, giving visitors a unique glimpse into the brewing process while creating a lively atmosphere around the grounds.

The festival also featured blacksmith demonstrations, woodchopping competitions, working trains and countless other displays that celebrated rural life and the region’s timber heritage. At its heart, however, the festival revolved around the timber industry and the people whose lives had been shaped by it. As word spread, attendance grew rapidly. In fact, Dorothy recalls one of the earliest festivals attracting around 10,000 people. The crowds were so large that organisers quickly discovered they hadn’t prepared enough food. It was a challenge—but also a sign that the festival had struck a chord with the community.

Keeping History Alive

For Dorothy, one of the festival’s greatest strengths has always been its connection to Glenreagh’s history. “I think it’s kept in keeping with the history of Glenreagh,” she says. While the festival has changed over the years, she believes its success comes from its ability to evolve while remaining true to its roots.

As organisers handed the event on to new volunteers and leadership teams, fresh ideas helped the festival continue to grow. “Change is a great thing,” Dorothy says. “There comes a point where new people need to put their stamp on it.” That willingness to embrace change while respecting tradition has helped the festival remain relevant for nearly two decades.

More Than an Event

The Glenreagh Timber Festival is often celebrated for its woodchopping, machinery displays, markets and entertainment. But stories like Dorothy’s reveal something deeper.

The festival exists because of the countless volunteers, organisers, community groups and supporters who have contributed their time and energy over the years. People who stood in the cold before sunrise. People who solved problems when supplies ran short. People who believed that Glenreagh’s history was worth celebrating.

As the festival approaches its twentieth year, Dorothy’s story serves as a reminder that the Glenreagh Timber Festival is more than a single day on the calendar. It is a community effort. A living celebration of local heritage. And a testament to the people who built it, one year at a time. For Dorothy, seeing the festival continue to grow is a source of pride. Because while attractions may change and new ideas may emerge, the spirit that started it all remains the same — a community coming together to celebrate the history, people and stories that make Glenreagh special.

Dorothy Teale | President of the Glenreagh School of Arts