Jeff Connor retires as president of Blackbutt Avocado Festival

The creator of one of rural Queensland’s most celebrated festivals has retired as president, but is looking forward to watching its future flourish from the sidelines.

A much loved Blackbutt legend has resigned from his fifteen year tenure of running one of the South Burnett’s most anticipated calendar events.

The popular and dedicated Blackbutt man behind one of the South Burnett’s most anticipated events has resigned from his role after 15 years.

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Jeff Connor has retired as the president of the Blackbutt Avocado Festival and paid tribute to the memorable years he spent advocating for the town’s culture, food and character.

The 66-year-old relocated from North Queensland with his wife Dr Daphene Connor to the region in 2006.

He said they instantly fell in love with Blackbutt.

Blackbutt Avocado festival chairman Jeff Connor with Kingaroy BaconFest chief baconeer Kristy Board.

They purchased the Blackbutt Medical Centre where he and his wife still work.

Then in 2009 they held the first Bloomin and Beautiful Blackbutt festival which Mr Connor said was “a huge success”.

In 2011 the event proudly received the South Burnett Regional Council’s Event of the Year Award.

Mr Connor said the idea for an avocado festival came when the committee decided to angle the celebrations towards a product more local to the region.

“We realised Blackbutt has a very large avocado growing community and after many talks over a few drinks, the Blackbutt Avocado Festival was born,” Mr Connor said.

From starting as a community event with 1000 people attending, Mr Connor played an integral role in developing the now nationally recognised event which attracted more than 5000 visitors last year and 150 market stalls.

Following the announcement of his departure, Mr Connor has received an outpouring of praise.

One resident posted, “Jeff is the driving force that made Blackbutt ‘find it’s name’ on the huge Australian landscape”.

The Blackbutt Avocado Festival is one of the region's most anticipated events.

“Travellers stop for the fabulous bakery and a village filled with Jeff’s wonderful work and legacies, enjoy your retirement Jeff,” another resident posted.

Mr Connor said the most challenging part of his role was also the most rewarding.

“The volunteers exhaust and exhilarate you,” Mr Connor said.

“Finding people willing to give up their time can be hard but working in the medical centre has put me in a prime positions to recruit over the years.”

The festival had more than 80 volunteers in 2022.

“It’s time to pass the banner on and let it develop,” Mr Connor said.

Mr Connor said he wanted to thank festival attendees, local businesses, sponsors and volunteers for making every year so special.