Mr PERRETT (Gympie—LNP) (8.50 pm): At the end of August country music boomed once again
through the hills of Amamoor State Forest in the Mary Valley for the 40th Gympie Music Muster. After
two years of cancellations, it was a relief for organisers to be able to go ahead with Australia’s original,
friendliest, and best camping and music experience. The iconic Gympie Music Muster showcases a mix
of country, roots, blues, folk, and rock music as well as workshops, dancing, and bush poets. In 1982
Berard Webb and his brothers Fabian and Marius first hosted the 4KQ Webb Brothers Country Music
Muster on a bush stage at their family property near Widgee. It started as a fundraiser and, with the
help of Apex each year, it continues to fundraise. This year’s funds were raised for the QCWA, which
is celebrating its centenary year—a magnificent milestone. In May I was pleased to host the QCWA
centenary barbeque lunch here at parliament. A familiar face and one of the organisers of the centenary
event, Christine King, was also at the muster.
The muster’s success in 1982 meant that after only three years it moved to the Amamoor State
Forest to cater for thousands of visitors and locals who want to come together to enjoy what the music
muster is all about—mates, music, and making a difference. Like many events during the last two years,
the muster was another victim of COVID lockdowns. This year it bounced back, with more than 44,000
patrons attending the four-day event. The four-day ticket sales were double those from 2019, making it
one of the most successful events. The number of campers broke all records. The muster has put
Gympie on the national entertainment stage. Fans from all of the states across Australia and New
Zealand descended onto the event which hosted more than 750 Australian musicians. I know numerous
performers prioritise the event, with many so eager to come they significantly reduce their fees.
As with events such as these, they cannot go ahead without the support of volunteers. Regional
communities rely on volunteers and Gympie punches above its weight when it comes to volunteering.
More than 1,500 volunteers from 30 community groups made sure everything ran smoothly. There were
familiar faces and new ones. Lifetime Apex member Craig Mathisen was there at the start in 1982 and
still supporting the muster, just as much as Berard Webb. The iconic voice of Nick Erby announcing
acts is the voice of the muster. Congratulations to muster chairman Greg Cavanagh and Apex for this
year’s outstanding success and to everyone in the community who loves to make sure that we are still
renowned for hosting some of the best events across the country.
