WELCOME to the West Australian Folk Federation (WAFF)

Welcome to the pages of the WA Folk Federation.
The WAFF was established in 1970 with the principle aim of promoting Folk Music and Dance in WA and attracting the National Folk Festival to WA which we hosted in 1978 in Fremantle & 1985 at The University of WA. The National Folk Festival, held over the Easter Weekend, is now located in Canberra with a featured state each year.
We became an incorporated body in 1974. We serve the entire state, although predominantly the Perth Metro area, and have done so for more than five decades. The WAFF is working now to reinvigorate itself and redefine its role in promotion of folk performing arts in Western Australia, including music, dance, yarns and poetry. In the coming months we promise many new and exciting developments. Join us as we work to elevate understanding and appreciation for folk music, poetry, dance, and story-telling.




The price is $10 for WAFF Members & $12 for non members.
Contact us if you’d like to become a WAFF member.
Pre-sales available to reserve your seat.
Email WAFF Secretary, Yvonne Gray at allorganised@gmail.com
& you will be sent the details to transfer your funds.

Currently two clubs are officially run under the banner of the WAFF (Wanneroo Folk Club & Swan Acoustic) and a number of others are affiliated.
Wanneroo Folk Club (in Warwick)
2nd Friday of the month

Dorchester Hall, 2 Dugdale St, Warwick.
Find us on Google Maps here
Entry price varies:
Feature artist Nights $12 ($10 WAFF Members).
Special event concert nights $20 ($15 WAFF members)
Come-All-Ye nights $8 ($5 WAFF)
Doors open: 7:00pm, Music from 7:30pm
For more info and performers Email: Rob Oats


 Swan Acoustic (3rd Friday of the month), was launched on Friday February 21st, 2025, at the Swan Bowling and Recreation Club on the corner of James and Attfield Streets, Guildford.
As this is a NEW venture, in the initial stages we will be running this along the lines of a Blackboard ‘Come all Ye” Folk Club with 3 song/15 mins each act. It will operate in a side room off the main area, and will have a small p/a with vocals and instruments playing through 2 x large diaphragm condenser microphones (if required)- just so as to lift the sound slightly.
Operating under the banner of the WAFF, in addition to seasoned performers, it offers an opportunity for acts (young and mature) starting out, learning to perform in an intimate, live audience atmosphere. This offers a unique opportunity to develop the skills required to engage with the audience, and present music in a safe and supportive environment. Original music is encouraged – both song and instrumental.
The music commences at 7:00pm and will conclude around 10:00pm. The bowling club is run entirely by friendly volunteers and they offer an economical single choice meal available from around 6:00pm, but be early as there only a set number of meals and they disappear quickly! You’re welcome to bring your own snacks.
Be aware that this is a licensed venue and so NO BYO drinks and any minors are to be accompanied by an adult.
Club nights will be the 3rd Friday of each month, unless otherwise advertised.
Come along and help us kick this year along the road. If you have any queries at all, call or message Phil Gray on 0404 629 125.

Ken’s Drawing

Cindy’s Drawing

The combination of Ken’s & Cindy’s drawings

the colourised version

How our logo/banner came about
Prior to 1997 there was a new “modern look” logo in use which didn’t really say much about who we are or what we do. After the the Joondalup Festival the committee decided that we needed to go back to basics a bit. As the new Town Crier editor at the time I was looking through the WAFF office and unearthed 2 items. One was a drawing by the late Ken Ferguson which was used as the logo for the National Folk Festival in 1978. The other was a silk screen of Swans and instruments which was used for a tee shirt design for the 1990 Toodyay Folk Festival.
I had no idea who had designed the T-shirt art work but at the Wanneroo Folk Club a couple of years ago I discovered that this mystery artist was a lady by the name of Cindy Stonor-McClean, a long time supporter of the WAFF and folk music in WA. I liked the look of both drawings since they had a connection to both folk music and Western Australia. So after much scanning and fiddling on my computer I combined the two drawings into one and a new logo was born. Over time it evolved with the adding of a bit of colour. The banner at the top of our new pages has better definition and is the latest version.

WELCOME to the West Australian Folk Federation (WAFF)

Welcome to the pages of the WA Folk Federation.
The WAFF was established in 1970 with the principle aim of promoting Folk Music and Dance in WA and attracting the National Folk Festival to WA which we hosted in 1978 in Fremantle & 1985 at The University of WA. The National Folk Festival, held over the Easter Weekend, is now located in Canberra with a featured state each year.
We became an incorporated body in 1974. We serve the entire state, although predominantly the Perth Metro area, and have done so for more than five decades. The WAFF is working now to reinvigorate itself and redefine its role in promotion of folk performing arts in Western Australia, including music, dance, yarns and poetry. In the coming months we promise many new and exciting developments. Join us as we work to elevate understanding and appreciation for folk music, poetry, dance, and story-telling.




The price is $10 for WAFF Members & $12 for non members.
Contact us if you’d like to become a WAFF member.
Pre-sales available to reserve your seat.
Email WAFF Secretary, Yvonne Gray at allorganised@gmail.com
& you will be sent the details to transfer your funds.

Currently two clubs are officially run under the banner of the WAFF (Wanneroo Folk Club & Swan Acoustic) and a number of others are affiliated.
Wanneroo Folk Club (in Warwick)
2nd Friday of the month

Dorchester Hall, 2 Dugdale St, Warwick.
Find us on Google Maps here
Entry price varies:
Feature artist Nights $12 ($10 WAFF Members).
Special event concert nights $20 ($15 WAFF members)
Come-All-Ye nights $8 ($5 WAFF)
Doors open: 7:00pm, Music from 7:30pm
For more info and performers Email: Rob Oats


 Swan Acoustic (3rd Friday of the month), was launched on Friday February 21st, 2025, at the Swan Bowling and Recreation Club on the corner of James and Attfield Streets, Guildford.
As this is a NEW venture, in the initial stages we will be running this along the lines of a Blackboard ‘Come all Ye” Folk Club with 3 song/15 mins each act. It will operate in a side room off the main area, and will have a small p/a with vocals and instruments playing through 2 x large diaphragm condenser microphones (if required)- just so as to lift the sound slightly.
Operating under the banner of the WAFF, in addition to seasoned performers, it offers an opportunity for acts (young and mature) starting out, learning to perform in an intimate, live audience atmosphere. This offers a unique opportunity to develop the skills required to engage with the audience, and present music in a safe and supportive environment. Original music is encouraged – both song and instrumental.
The music commences at 7:00pm and will conclude around 10:00pm. The bowling club is run entirely by friendly volunteers and they offer an economical single choice meal available from around 6:00pm, but be early as there only a set number of meals and they disappear quickly! You’re welcome to bring your own snacks.
Be aware that this is a licensed venue and so NO BYO drinks and any minors are to be accompanied by an adult.
Club nights will be the 3rd Friday of each month, unless otherwise advertised.
Come along and help us kick this year along the road. If you have any queries at all, call or message Phil Gray on 0404 629 125.

Ken’s Drawing

Cindy’s Drawing

The combination of Ken’s & Cindy’s drawings

the colourised version

How our logo/banner came about
Prior to 1997 there was a new “modern look” logo in use which didn’t really say much about who we are or what we do. After the the Joondalup Festival the committee decided that we needed to go back to basics a bit. As the new Town Crier editor at the time I was looking through the WAFF office and unearthed 2 items. One was a drawing by the late Ken Ferguson which was used as the logo for the National Folk Festival in 1978. The other was a silk screen of Swans and instruments which was used for a tee shirt design for the 1990 Toodyay Folk Festival.
I had no idea who had designed the T-shirt art work but at the Wanneroo Folk Club a couple of years ago I discovered that this mystery artist was a lady by the name of Cindy Stonor-McClean, a long time supporter of the WAFF and folk music in WA. I liked the look of both drawings since they had a connection to both folk music and Western Australia. So after much scanning and fiddling on my computer I combined the two drawings into one and a new logo was born. Over time it evolved with the adding of a bit of colour. The banner at the top of our new pages has better definition and is the latest version.