And it’s under way … Ken “Chainsaw” Lindsay was the first of the main performers on stage after the official opening ceremony
November 4, 2022
The 2022 Murgon Country Music Muster is barely under way, but planning for the 2023 event has already started.
Speaking at the opening of this year’s muster on Friday, committee co-chair and Murgon Rotary president Heath Sander detailed all the hard work that went on behind the scenes to make the annual event a reality.
This included co-ordinating with seven different groups which use the Murgon Showgrounds complex and juggling the fact that the Murgon Rotary Club – which organises the event – is now down to just six members.
However, welcome help had come from other groups in the community, including Wheatlands State School P&C which had taken over the catering.
South Burnett Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones, who also spoke at the opening, said there were between 280-290 caravans and campervans at the showgrounds, which meant about 900 people at the Muster.
He urged them all to “stay another day” during their visit to explore all the other parts of the South Burnett.
The actual opening was carried out by Cr Kathy Duff who stressed how proud she was that Murgon could put on such a wonderful show.
And she thanked Council’s parks and garden staff for making the town look so nice.
Cr Duff said the Muster – which is returning after a pandemic-enforced two-year break – would bring “thousands and thousands” of much-needed dollars into the local economy.
Guest artists over the weekend included a mix of national and South Burnett stars including Adam Harvey, Felicity Urquhart, Dean Perrett, Lindsay Waddington, Ken Lindsay, Lloyd Back, Paul Ricketts, Alice Benfer, Clarrie Weller and Amber Goldsmith.
The Rotary Club also sponsored a special performance by visiting multi-Golden Guitar winner Amber Lawrence at the Murgon State High School auditorium for students from the Barambah cluster group of schools.
This is the second time that Rotary has put on a special schoolchildren’s concert to coincide with the event.
The Muster will wind up about noon on Sunday after a bush poet’s breakfast and gospel music concert.
Murgon Rotary Club president – and Muster co-chair – Heath Sander explained all the work that goes on behind the scenes … planning has already started for the 2023 event
Bush poet Gary Fogarty will be the compere for Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Pastor Max Conlon did the Welcome To Country and opening blessing
Cr Kathy Duff did the official opening
Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones also spoke at the opening
Lloyd Back (who sang the National Anthem) with Muster stalwart Valerie Hodson and former Murgon Rotarian Rex Shelton who returned to town especially for the eventWheatlands State School volunteers were looking after the canteen and softdrink sales … from left, Mary Ramke, Kimberley Kunde, Edwina McVeigh, Rebecca Dunlop and Carley AckincloseYear 6 student Max Ackinclose with Wheatlands P&C secretary Kimberley Kunde … the school has taken on a big job for the weekendWell-known country performer Lindsay Waddington having fun of stage … Waddington is a familiar face in the South Burnett having performed at several local venues, including The Shed in NanangoCherbourg Council Deputy Mayor Tom Langton with SBRC Cr Danita PotterSBRC Cr Jane Erkens with Cherbourg Council CEO Chatur ZalaSouth Burnett Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones with Muster volunteer Glenys Grevett, from WondaiHeather and Mick Purser, from Castra … a busload of Castra residents were treated to lunch and front-row seats at the MusterFirst up on the main stage Ken “Chainsaw” Lindsay with the last of the “walk-up” performers, David Rowan, Noosa … walk-up singers performed on stage for the first few days of the Muster ahead of the official opening on fridayGetting ready for a big night of music … Yvonne Robbins, Sunshine Coast; and Dawn Eastham and Alice Beesley, from KingaroyMuster volunteer Andrew Wesener, from Murgon, with sound man Andrew Beckett who was busy setting up for the mix of bands and singersAlisha Clarkson, from LifeFlight Foundation, with South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt … LifeFlight will be one of the three beneficiaries of profits from this year’s MusterKaren Peters, from the Sunshine Coast, with Cr Kathy Duff … Karen has attended every Murgon Muster and most of the Nanango ones, tooA big crowd attended the official opening … even more were expected to pack the hall on Friday night for the first of the main concerts
