Committee

Executive Committee
Chairperson: Phil Gray.
Phil has been around the WA Folk scene for many years and has played in many bands including Loaded Dog and currently Warralakin. He has performed at many festivals and folk clubs around Australia and brings a wealth of experience to the committee . Warralakin’s new CD was nominated for a Folk Music Award in 2023
Vice Chair: John Ralph.
John was chairman for quite a few years. He is a very accomplished musician playing guitar (classical folk) and sings and wrties award winning songs. He also plays in a duo with his son Joe. He runs Wanneroo Folk Club in Warwick with Rob Oats.
Treasurer: Terry Bonnett
Terry is a Private Dentist in practice since 1977. He has been a member of WAFF for about 18 years and joined the committee in 1998, not long after the Joondalup Festival and was on the committee that helped save the WAFF at that time. He became Treasurer in about 1999 with only one year out of the job during this time.
In Terry’s words: “Unfortunately I have no musical talents (can’t sing, can’t dance, can’t do a godamm thing)”
Terry was made a life member of the WAFF at the 2017 AGM for service to the WAFF and the WA folk community. To contact Terry: phone 9279 2875 or waffinc@gmail.com, if you don’t mind waiting ages for me to reply.
Secretary Jill Oats
Jill has returned to the committee this year. She has an extensive background in music as a teacher and performer. She has played with various bands around Perth and currently plays with the Rambling Bilbies.
General Committee
Robert Oats
I have been a member of the WAFF since about 1975 after being introduced to the Stables Folk Club by a friend. I was on the committee in 1978 when the National Folk Festival was in Fremantle and was involved in the Toodyay Folk festival for a number of years. I got back on the committee at the 1997 AGM and served for for about 8 years. During this period I produced the Town Crier (when it was a printed magazine format) and the WAFF web pages and sat in a number of positions on the committee until taking a sabbatical to pursue other things. I returned to the committee as vice chairman after a couple years acting in an advisory role and editing the web pages. I took over the Chair in 2021 through to the AGM in 2024.
I started the WA Acoustic Music and Dance Calendar several years ago and keep it updated, it is now incorporated into the WAFF pages (see the link at the top) which promotes acoustic music events around WA. Contact for Rob: 04 1890 8899 or rob.wafolk@thebilbies.com.au
Yvonne Gray
I’ve been involved in the folk music scene since around 1988 when I joined the Central Australian Folk Society (CAFS) in Alice Springs.. At the 40th Top Half Folk Festival , I met a WA folkie & was lured to cross the country to Perth. I support Phil in his music, playing the UBass as well as playing bass with some other groups.
Carmel Charlton.
Carmel returned to the committee in 2024, She has held the Chair and other positions over the years. Up until later 2024 Carmel ran Jackadders Music club with Erik Hancock for over 20 years. She has been writing and performing her own songs and promoting Australian folk & counrty music for many years. In 2024 she was made a life member of the WAFF.
Wendy Bonnett.
Wendy has been a long time supporter of folk music in WA along side Terry. She has been on the committee for a couple of years and this year takes on the Vice Chair role.