YDHS Friday talk
March 2025

Lorraine McLoughlin was co-founder of the inaugural Leafy Sea Dragon Festival (now called Festival Fleurieu) in 2005. She spoke of how the idea for the Festival came about and then was brought to life by a talented and enthusiastic steering committee and generous funding from the Yankalilla and District Council. In 2005, social media was not available for promotion, so promotional materials were stuffed into envelopes and mailed out. Articles were written for the Advertiser and Sunday Mail and Lorraine was interviewed by Community Radio Victor Harbor. Pamphlets were distributed at the New Years Pageant.

Lorraine showed a video of the 2005 Festival which showed what a vibrant and colourful celebration it was.
The leafy sea dragon graphic was originally painted in oils by George Tetlow, then a graphic artist stylized it for the 2007 Festival. Although the ‘leafy sea dragon’ is no longer included in the name of the Festival, the graphic lives on as an icon for the Festival both in print and online.

Community groups are encouraged to run events under the auspices of the Festival Fleurieu, ensuring a diverse range of events celebrating our region’s unique artists, artisans and creatives. Held biennially, there have now been 10 Festivals. The 2025 Festival Fleurieu commences on Saturday 19 April 2025.