The Gympie Music Muster – in the name of charity, we boogie.
In 2016 the iconic Gympie Music Muster makes its triumphant return over four amazing days in August. Beautiful and normally peaceful Amamoor Creek State Forest Park provides the perfect setting for this quintessential Aussie event, with over 50 hectares of well maintained, planned camping facilities, plenty of hot showers and toilets, and a central entertainment precinct. Located 40-kilometres south-west of Gympie, it’s an easy drive 2 hours north of Brisbane, just 40 minutes from stunning Noosa and heritage listed Fraser Island.
For nearly three and a half decades this event has rocked our little slice of paradise with some of the best music our country, and the world, has to offer. And it’s not all country music – there will be enough food and drink to make one heck of a four-day weekend.
Over the course of the past thirty-four years, the growth of the Muster has enabled the entertainment line up to diversify into an exciting mix of musical and entertainment genres while still maintaining strong country roots. As well as traditional and modern country music, entertainment within eight venues and many bars include an aural collage ranging from folk, bluegrass, balladeers, the gospel, blues, bush poetry, a celebrity guest debate and the momentous competition of the Maton Talent Search where future careers are established. There is an incredible array of talents this year, with names such as Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley and Beccy Cole, to name a few of the headliners. Joining them is a line-up of some of the most promising musical talents from around the world, and most importantly, from across our incredible land. With plenty of acts from a variety of musical genres, there is something for just about everyone’s taste.
The Muster is a non-profit event, with all proceeds going towards a range of different causes and since its inception; the Muster has raised more than fourteen million dollars for charities Australia-wide. In 1993, Australia was suffering the worst drought on record. The Club decided to commit all funds raised to support the national drought appeal. As a result, the Rural Aid Appeal was initiated. The Appeal annually raises funds for a major charity each year through the sale of compilation CDs and a range of specially designed merchandise. Over the years, Rural Aid beneficiaries have included Diabetes Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Leukaemia Foundation, Youth Suicide Prevention, VISE (Volunteers for Isolated Students Education), Transplant Australia and the Melanoma Foundation and recently, isolated communities suffering the long-term effects of drought.
The event has grown each year, with all profits distributed among worthy charities, both locally and nationally. An ever-growing number of community groups are also involved in the staging of the event, and for most, it is their major fundraiser for the year. There is a real sense of community ownership in the Muster with now more than 50 local community groups, and over two thousand volunteers involved in the event’s success.
For more information on the line up, ticket prices or accommodation, visit the Gympie Music Muster website.
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