Karen Knowles in Conversation and in Concert - celebrating 50 years of Music!

This very special album launch event at the beautiful Flaxton Gardens Sunshine Coast celebrates Karen Knowles' achievement of 50 years in the music industry, Karen started her career on television on Young Talent Time and soon after began successfully recording while still finishing high school. She became the first Australian schoolgirl to win a gold record for her hit release Why won't you explain followed by other platinum and gold album releases You are the Reason and Loves Us All. For two consecutive years she was the highest selling female recording artist in our country and has since gone on to solidify her place in Australian music with countless appearances on all variety television programs, a two year period with the legendary Seekers and has recorded 8 studio albums and various compilations across her recording career.

Karen will be joined by ABC Sunshine Coast's, wonderful well known broadcaster and presenter Sheridan Stewart for a Q&A as part of the special celebration.

To coincide with this special launch event Karen's first volume of her musical anthology Through the years will be released on all platforms on Friday 30 October.

Following the Q&A with Sheridan the Flaxton Gardens chef will create a grazing plate for each guest and then at 6 pm we move into the in concert performance space within the winery area of the venue as we are beautifully held to truly listen to Karen live in concert

This will be an event to remember. As always carefully curated by Karen with care, experience and the vocal talent that has enabled her incredible 50 year journey.

About the Q&A

Sheridan Stewart will open a conversation with Karen Knowles as part of the celebration of her journey throughout the various stages of her 50 year career in music. They will also discuss Karen's dreams for the future to benefit the next generations. There will be time for reflection and interaction with the audience as we open up to our community to consider what are the the necessary foundations for musical and other artists to thrive. What ingredients will ensure the music industry can continue to play such an impact in creating our sense of belonging so we can all play a part in curating this important recipe?

About the Concert

Within this special 50 years in music concert celebration Karen will perform live many of the songs from Volume 1 of Through the years (in many cases re-recorded and re-mastered) with a few songs from her usual repertoire.

At this concert you will rediscover the melodies and lyrics that have become the soundtrack to unforgettable moments of our lives delivered by one of our finest singers.

Programme will include: The Rose, Being Green, Kumbaya, You Needed Me, Why won't you explain, La Vie en Rose, Vincent, You Raise Me Up and Imagine.

Karen Knowles

Karen Knowles is one of Australia’s most beloved musical artists, with a career now spanning over five decades. She first captured the public's attention as a star of Young Talent Time from 1975 to 1980, where her extraordinary vocal talent made her a household name. In the 1980s, Karen became a platinum-selling recording artist with hits like Why Won’t You Explain, topping the charts and solidifying her place in Australian pop culture.

Karen became the lead singer of The Seekers in the early 1990s, recording the first-ever publically released version of I Am Australian further endearing her to fans across the country. Her connection to Australian culture has been a constant throughout her career, with memorable performances at Carols by Candlelight events making her a voice synonymous with the festive season. 

Karen founded Wiilpa in 2014 (wiilpa.org) which holds an arts led multi dimensional lens integrating leadership, arts, culture, law, respect for lore holders and protection of our natural environment. Wiilpa offers an invitation to hold space for new / old wise ways that embed meaning and promote lasting transformational change for the benefit of  the next 7 generations.

In 2026 Wiilpa has won two awards from the UK - APAC Insider’s most inspiring arts led social innovation project and Corporate Livewire’s Global Holistic Consultancy of the year.

Karen’s career has been shaped by a deep desire to connect with people, whether through her music or the experiential events she runs. She loves honouring the richness of Australian artistry and the land that inspires it.

Karen Knowles continues to create experiences that encourage connection, reflection and transformation, drawing on the many gifts of the natural world and the power of music and creativity to inspire wonder, reflection and joy.

Learn more at www.karenknowles.com.au

Follow Karen https://www.instagram.com/karen.knowles.official

About Sheridan Stewart

SHERIDAN STEWART is an author, speaker and broadcaster. Before joining the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in 2014, Sheridan was a popular Triple M presenter, music journalist and comedy host/producer. Whilst Sheridan interviews everyone from rockstars to politicians to victims of crime, music is always close to her heart. “Music, especially Australian music, forms the soundtrack of our lives.” Sheridan enthuses, ‘A song has the ability to invoke memories, inspire action and create connection.’ Currently, she can be heard on ABC Radio Queensland (Sunshine Coast).

Sheridan’s first non-fiction book, I Am Enough: A 90-Day Challenge to Find Contentment, was published in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the US in 2023. 

Her fiction has appeared in the Chicago Quarterly Review and she’s currently putting the finishing touches on her debut novel a work of Australian historical fiction with a dose of magical realism.

Learn more at www.sheridanstewart.com

Follow Sheridan https://www.instagram.com/sheridan.stewart/