Meet John Richards

John Richards

Community Fundraising and Events Officer

John joined Lifeline Loddon Mallee in 2023 as their first Community Fundraising and Events Officer.

He was the Festival Director of the Bendigo Pride Festival from 2019 until 2024, which suggests time travel may be involved. At Bendigo Pride he was responsible for creating and sourcing funding for many community development projects including an extensive program of works exploring racism within the LGBTQIA+ community; a pop-up museum devoted to the history of queer Australia; and an upcoming book about the LGBTQIA+ history of Bendigo.

He has an extensive background in arts and digital production, working on everything from the game show The Chase to the BBC Radio series Night Terrace, described as “Doctor Who if it was a half-hour radio sitcom starring Susan From Neighbours”.

He has created content for SANE Australia’s Stigmawatch campaign, produced dozens of live shows for festivals across the country, written for a wide range of publications, produced award-winning podcasts and once played the voice of a tree on Gardening Australia.

John is excited to help bring financial and logistical support to Lifeline Loddon Mallee’s vital services, and to increase knowledge of Lifeline’s work throughout the country.