EXPERTISE within the North East was central to creating a successful virtual event, according to Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues general manager Leanne Mulcahy.

Ms Mulcahy paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes production crew which had pulled together local performances, narrative linking presentations, website development and social media updates for the week-long festival, which moved online in the face of COVID-19 restrictions.

“That local expertise really came to the fore, and it’s amazing that we have these people here in our area,” she said.