Jordan Whale, Keziah Boag turn on each other after James Ellingford wins $214,000 case

“Had I known the truth, I would have never gone into business with him”: The pair behind a doomed southeast Qld music festival have each blamed the other after a court found they misled a businessman.

Music producer and festival organiser Keziah Boag, from Crabbes Creek NSW. Picture: Facebook

The pair behind a doomed Scenic Rim music festival have each blamed the other after a Gold Coast businessman won a judgment in excess of $214,000 against them in court.

Runaway Bay man James Ellingford, the former chairman of ASX-listed medicinal cannabis outfit Creso Pharma Ltd, sued the directors of White Noise Entertainment Pty Ltd, Keziah Boag, of Crabbes Creek in northern New South Wales, and Varsity Lakes man Jordan Whale, in the Southport District Court in 2023.

In his statement of claim, Dr Ellingford alleged he was misled by the pair, who were behind the Valley Vibes festival at Kooralbyn Resort, when he invested $186,503 into their company in mid 2022.

According to Dr Ellingford, he was told he would become a shareholder as a result of this investment, but the shares never materialised.

Dr James Ellingford. Picture: Tiktok

He further claimed in his statement Mr Whale represented to him that White Noise was a successful business, when in fact it owed Kooralbyn Resort $48,530 at the time the representation was made.

White Noise was wound up in insolvency in March 2023 after a successful court action by Kooralbyn Resort.

On August 23 last year, Judge David Kent KC entered summary judgment in favour of Dr Ellingford, ordering Mr Boag and Mr Whale conjointly to pay the plaintiff $186,503 plus interest, totalling $214,302.92.

Last month, lawyers on behalf of Dr Ellingford sought a warrant against Mr Whale, seeking to bring him before the court for an enforcement hearing.

The warrant was initially granted but it’s understood it was subsequently withdrawn due to a procedural error.

Dr Ellingford’s lawyer Brendan Nyst told this masthead his client had “separately reached an agreement with... [Mr Boag] regarding repayment of his share of the debt,” but claimed Mr Whale was yet to come to the table.

Jordan Whale, who operated the Valley Vibes music festival alongside former friend Keziah Boag. Picture: Instagram

Mr Whale did not deny this when contacted by this masthead.

“I anticipate to pay [sic] Dr Ellingford in increments or go completely personally bankrupt,” he said.

Mr Whale alleged it was his erstwhile friend and business partner Mr Boag who was responsible for the financial quagmire they found themselves in, but Mr Boag made similar allegations about Mr Whale.

“Had I known the truth, I would have never gone into business with him,” Mr Boag said.

“Now, I am left dealing with the consequences.

“My priority is maintaining my integrity, which is why I have developed a plan to repay Dr Ellingford while continuing to provide for my family.”

Mr Boag said it was “sad” his friendship with Mr Whale had been obliterated by the court case.