General News
28 May, 2026
Steampunk launches into new era
FOLLOWING on from the success of the first three Wimmera Steampunk Festivals, a new organising committee has been established to manage the event from the 2027 festival – ‘The Starfarers’ Jubilee’.
“We realised after the success of the 2025 event that we needed to establish a dedicated organising committee for the Wimmera Steampunk Festival in the future,” creative director Chan Uoy said.
“We have brought together a skills-based group to oversee the coordination and development of the event from now on.”
The new organising committee is made up of Chan Uoy (president), Grampians Wimmera Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman (vice president), La Vergne Lehmann (secretary), David Jaunzems (treasurer), and Peter Docherty (committee member and adviser).
The committee brings a wealth of experience in tourism, event management, finance, governance, risk management, communications, fundraising and regional development.
“It is very exciting to be able to bring together a professional team to get the planning for the next event started,” Mr Uoy said.
“It was important for the festival to move to a standalone organising committee to ensure the future development of the event and focus on raising the funds through grants and sponsorships for 2027.”
The committee has been busy setting up the new organisational structure, preparing grant applications, developing sponsorship packages, and developing an exciting program for next year’s festival.
“We are literally getting ready to launch this Wimmera Steampunk Festival into space with The Starfarers’ Jubilee.”