Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Gympie Music Muster is renowned as Australia's best family-friendly music and camping experience, where more than 100 artists perform in six venues over four days. It is staged in the beautiful surrounds of the Amamoor Creek State Forest, and the exciting mix of country, blues, folk and rock music, bush ballads and free workshops, conducted by some of the music industry's most celebrated artists, is a big drawcard, attracting about 50,000 people from all over Australia to the Gympie area every August.

They muster kicks off today and an army of volunteers from local schools, sporting groups, clubs and community organisations have been working hard and setting up the site before the gates open to the public. The muster is much more than a music festival. Since its inception in 1982, more than 2,500 artists have performed at the event, raising more than $20 million, which has been donated to local schools, clubs, sporting groups and committee organisations, whose volunteers help out every year setting up and managing the muster.

The muster's broad appeal and large attendance provides a significant boost to the Wide Bay local economy, with many nearby business owners benefiting from the influx of thousands of visitors. The former coalition government recognised the importance of the Gympie Music Muster, and I am pleased to have been able to help this iconic event and obtain a $1 million grant to help the muster provide world-class entertainment while supporting local jobs in tourism and hospitality.

The federal government has recently recognised the importance of the music muster and provided $60,000 from the Revive Live Program in 2024. The Queensland LNP government has also pledged their support to help the music muster to continue to grow. The event will receive $100,000 each year, over the next four years, from the Crisafulli government's Organisations Fund 2026-2029 to generate employment for artists and arts workers in Queensland.

The Gympie Music Muster is a great example of what a regional community can achieve when it works collectively towards a common goal to provide live entertainment, stimulate economic development and provide a fun, family atmosphere, showcasing local, national and international talent. Events like the muster require massive amounts of planning and manpower, and I thank Gympie Apex and all the volunteers for the hard work they put into making the event. such a huge success. See you at the muster this weekend.