What’s Happening?
The 2024 Gympie Music Muster raised $101,000 for Rural Aid, its charity partner this year. Held in August, the festival leveraged a range of fundraising initiatives, from the Buy A Bale sticker campaign to campground fundraisers, to support Rural Aid’s mission to help farming families and rural communities across Australia.
Why It Matters
This donation is essential in bolstering Rural Aid’s ability to deliver critical resources to farming communities facing hardships due to droughts, floods, and economic strain.
The funds will directly assist families struggling with financial pressures, livestock care, mental health support, and water security.
Local Impact
The Gympie Music Muster has shown how a local festival can make a substantial difference to rural Australians.
Festival-goers not only support a beloved event but also contribute to vital charitable efforts, reinforcing community bonds and extending aid to those in need.
By the Numbers
- $101,000 was raised for Rural Aid from this year’s Gympie Music Muster.
- Multiple fundraising activities contributed, including donations from festival armbands, campground fundraisers, and more.
- Thousands of attendees were reached, raising awareness of Rural Aid’s impact on rural families and communities.
The $101,000 raised this year comes from various initiatives:
- Buy A Bale sticker campaign
- Canned goods collection drive
- Back Fence Bar’s campground fundraiser
- Donut stall by Cooloola-Sunshine Coast Military Brotherhood MMC
- Festival armband donations
Zoom In
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters expressed his gratitude, highlighting the unique opportunity the Muster provided:
“The support from Gympie Music Muster attendees has been an incredible experience for us at Rural Aid.
It’s allowed us to tell our story to thousands of people who love country music and have a soft spot for farmers.
This generosity has a profound impact on farming families, helping them manage the challenges they face every day.”
The funds raised will enable Rural Aid to provide a range of essential services, including:
- Emergency Livestock Feed: Supplying hay to farmers dealing with drought.
- Financial Assistance: Providing prepaid Visa cards to help farmers meet immediate needs while supporting their local economies.
- Counselling Services: Offering mental health support for families dealing with the emotional toll of rural life.
- Water Security: Delivering drinking water to families affected by drought or bushfires.
Mr Warlters noted, “Further afield, there are many families in South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria dealing with record-low rainfall, trying to manage livestock and crops under difficult conditions.”
Zoom Out
Muster CEO Greg Cavanagh shared his pride in the community’s response, stating, “Supporting Rural Aid was a natural fit for us as a charity partner.
The dedication from festival-goers in supporting rural communities is inspiring, and I’m proud that together, we’ve exceeded our goal of $100,000.
Our mission is to support charities that improve the lives of rural families and communities, and Rural Aid does just that.”
What To Look For Next?
Looking ahead, the Gympie Music Muster aims to continue its tradition of supporting impactful rural charities.
The event is already on the lookout for a new charity partner for 2025, with a particular focus on national organisations dedicated to rural communities and children’s welfare.
As Mr Cavanagh shared, “We aim to reach this fundraising milestone each year, and I’m stoked to see such an incredible response from our community. The Muster is about giving back, and it’s clear our attendees share that same passion.”
The next Gympie Music Muster will take place from 28-31 August 2025 at Amamoor Creek State Forest. To learn more or to apply as the next charity partner, visit www.muster.com.au.
The Gympie Music Muster is proudly supported by the Gympie Regional Council and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
