The announcement comes as the festival prepares a refreshed team structure ahead of its milestone 30th anniversary, set to run from March 20 to 29, 2026.
Ms Retallick, who stepped into the role in August 2022, delivered three festivals during a time one can only describe as anything but predictable.
“Each year had its own unique big challenge to it,” she said.
“The year that I came into the role, we were finishing up having a lot of COVID-19 effects on events and the arts … and then the floods happened.”
And when the waters receded, the work ahead doubled.
“COVID-19 recovery was still happening, and flood recovery started — and has been happening for a while now — so creative recovery became more of a focus than what I expected in the role,” Ms Retallick said.
Despite the hurdles, the period was punctuated by powerful artistic and community moments.
One standout memory was An Item Of Connection, a unique collaboration between the festival and photographer Cam Matheson.
The portrait series invited locals to share their stories and experiences of the 2022 October floods, embodying the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words.
“That was something that really opened my eyes up into the idea of working with communities rather than for communities and/or presenting to communities,” she said.
Another fitting inclusion to Ms Retallick’s top highlights was Fashion in Shepparton: Sky Stories.
Beneath a dreamlike set design of low-lying faux clouds tinged a cotton-candy pink, models glided down a café catwalk in creations from five of the region’s top fashion designers.
But the quiet, personal moments mattered just as deeply.
“Because I had worked as an artist before going into the role, that care for artists was always a big, big thing for me,” Ms Retallick said.
“Some of my proudest moments have been standing with artists as they share what is most precious to them.”
Now, Ms Retallick is turning her attention back to her own creative practice and to her various roles in art education.
And, for the first time in a long time, she plans to experience the festival as a participant rather than the one steering it.
Ms Retallick offered thanks to the board, the artists and the wider community for their encouragement and support along the journey.
“It’s always hard to move on from things that you’ve put so much passion and time and energy into, but at the same time, I’m quite excited to be able to look at other ways to direct that now,” she said.
“I’m excited to focus more on my own creative practice, too — and perhaps to try something new.”
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