Pam Merrigan
Pam Merrigan, (1950- ) collected some of the Australian tunes in this archive.
Pam Merrigan began life in Gosford, NSW, later living in Newcastle and Sydney. Pam has made a major contribution to Australia's cultural life, particularly to its folk culture, as a musician, festival organizer and administrator.
Pam is, "Currently (2025) President of the Folk Federation of NSW and previously Artistic and Managing Director National Folk Festival (8yrs). Experienced Artistic Director with a demonstrated history of working in the festival and music events industry. Skilled in Event & Festival Management, Social Media, and Music Industry. Worked successfully with a broad range of individuals, groups and organizations as curator, creative facilitator, performer and arts administrator. Strong arts and professional music background with a life long and passionate engagement with the folk arts in all their diverse forms. Performed in folk and trad. music bands including Coolfinn Mac, Coast Ceili Band, Bush Bandicoots (twice winners of National Battle of the Bush Bands, Tamworth Country Music Festival) and, Rum Culls. 20 years in music education both at secondary level and free-lance. Holds a MMus degree (UNSW)." - Sourced from [1] the Folk Federation of New South Wales, July, 2025
Rob Willis' interview of Pam Merrigan, is available from the NLA; [2] , NLA, Bib ID: 6333236. In this interview Pam Merrigan speaks about her family background; her childhood in Gosford, NSW; schooling and education; musical training; her involvement with Newcastle Folk Club; formation of the band Rum Culls; changing to Primary Teaching course; her husband Norm; Malaysia; Brad Tate; Sally Sloane; her role at the Turning Wave Festival; her performances and recordings; Warren Fahey; Billy Tea Bush Band; RAF Radio Station RRV, Malaysia; Frog Puddles; her Australian and overseas performances; Tug Moon; Stringybark and Greenhide magazine; teaching music at Cherrybrook Technology High School, types of early music software and using technology in music; HSC Music marking; changes in the composition of music; her involvement with Irish music; her role as the Artistic Program Manager at the National Folk Festival; the impact and the influence of the National Folk Festival; her grandmother and the music she played; methods of playing music; dance music.
"Pam & Norm Merrigan have been playing traditional music for over 20 years in a variety of bands and incarnations which have included performances at festivals as diverse as the National Folk Festival, Port Fairy and the Tamworth Country Music Festival (twice won the National Battle of the Bush Bands), as well as tours to South-East Asia, Ireland and the UK, and performances for television, radio, and at major venues including the Sydney Opera House. While a major focus of their music reflects a strong connection to their Irish ancestry the Merrigans also incorporate strong Celtic influences into their music especially those that can be linked to Australia. Pam and Norm Merrigan are also the resident musicians for the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers." CD REVIEW - Alan Blakelock in [3] Trad & Now.
