Wide Bay MP Llew O‘Brien calls for more funding to support Gympie Muster

Federal Parliament has been told the Gympie Muster is the “true home of country music” – not Tamworth – and that federal funds needed to be diverted there to upgrade the infrastructure to cope with thousands of visitors.

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien has called for repair funds to support the Gympie Music Muster.

Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien has called for more funding to upgrade necessary infrastructure at the site hosting the Gympie Music Muster during a speech in parliament.

Mr O’Brien said Gympie was the “true home of Australian country music” opposed to Tamworth in a Facebook post following his speech.

He called for government support to upgrade sewerage, water and electricity infrastructure so the massive music festival can continue.

Llew O'Brien making a speech in parliament supporting the Gympie Music Muster.

“Their structures are in disrepair or need major upgrades to cater for the growing festival, especially toilet blocks, the iconic main stage, fencing and campgrounds,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Some desperately needed-funding would allow improvements to the festival precinct and allow the Muster to continue supporting homegrown talent.

“I invite Minister for Arts Tony Burke MP to put on his RMs and Akubra, and join us for a Bundy rum and a bit of bootscooting at the true home of country music, the Gympie Music Muster.”

Mr O’Brien said more than 44,000 people visit Amamoor for the festival and more than $335,000 was donated to community groups and regional charities in 2022.

The Gympie Muster is an opportunity for emerging Australian talent from the Australian Institute Of Country Music in Gympie to perform on “the biggest stage in Australian country music”.

Since the first performance in the Webb Brothers’ paddock at Widgee in 1982, the festival has returned more than $20 million to community groups.

The Gympie Music Muster has released their second artist announcement including Midland, Sara Storer and Hoodoo Gurus.

The latest reveal from The Gympie Music Muster created a buzz as the Hoodoo Gurus and Texan band Midland joined the artist line-up for 2023.

“The international flavour of Midland is in addition to Canadian favourites Dan Davidson and Gord Bamford announced in our first artist line-up,” the Gympie Muster press release said.

“The much-anticipated second artist release for the 2023 Gympie Music Muster – August 24-27 – features the eagerly-awaited return of Midland to Australia, among a mix of rising and established homegrown favourites Hoodoo Gurus, Sara Storer, Ashleigh Dallas, Viper Creek Band, Chad Morgan, Emily Wurramara, Zac & George, Melody Moko, Caitlyn Shadbolt, and Ella & Sienna.”

The Texan music superstars said in the press release they were looking forward to their stop in the Amamoor Creek State Forest

“We are so excited to finally be bringing our Last Resort: Greetings From Tour to Australia, which includes a stop at the Gympie Music Muster,” the band said.