Phil Jarratt Oral History

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Overview
2023 Interview

Phil Jarratt reflects on over three decades of life and community involvement in Noosa, shaped by his career in journalism, publishing, surfing culture, and environmental advocacy. Born in the Illawarra region, Jarratt first visited Noosa in the late 1960s as a young surfer and developed a lasting attachment to the area. In 1990, he relocated with his family to Cooroy after accepting a role as Queensland correspondent for The Bulletin, choosing Noosa for its lifestyle, natural beauty and surf.

Throughout the 1990s, Jarratt built a successful regional publishing business, producing Noosa Blue and Casa, and later co founded the Noosa Festival of Surfing, which he and his daughters developed into the world’s largest surfing event. After several years working abroad in France and California, he returned to Noosa and continued writing, consulting, and film making, including directing documentaries on surfing history and human rights issues in Timor Leste.

Jarratt has been a central figure in Noosa’s surfing and conservation community, helping establish both the Noosa National Surfing Reserve and the Noosa World Surfing Reserve. Throughout the interview, he emphasises Noosa’s unique environment, the legacy of environmental activism, and his commitment to preserving the region’s character while contributing to its cultural and sporting life.

Photograph

Phil Jarratt, Noosaville, 28 February 2023

Phil Jarratt, Noosaville, 29 May 2020

Oral History Transcript

Phil Jarratt Oral History - Transcript

Phil Jarratt Oral History - Transcript - Noosa History of Surfing Project

Audio

Phil Jarratt Oral History - Audio

Phil Jarratt Oral History - Audio Noosa History of Surfing Project

Video

Phil Jarratt Oral History - Video Noosa History of Surfing Project

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Phil Jarratt Oral History