Ute muster

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A ute muster is an activity that embraces Australian ute culture in rural and regional areas. The event is a type of festival whose premise is to bring as many utes (named after 'utility vehicles') to the one location as possible, and includes competitions and other side events. Typically, it occurs annually and normally lasts several days.

They may be seen as a more rural version of the Summernats, a festival which promotes a wider range of car culture.

The Caboolture Urban Muster (which features a "Beaut Ute" competition) is a country music festival headlined each year by Lee Kernaghan, who is famous for songs championing utes such as Boys From The Bush and She's My Ute.

Contents 1 Background 2 Beaut ute 3 Records 4 Distinction from other festivals 5 External links

[edit] Background

Often, ute musters are combined with a larger festival such as a rodeo, agricultural show or music festival, and are usually sponsored by companies which are local to where the muster is being held.

Ute musters are often represented as being attended by yobbos who just like to drink, this is not generally the case. They are generally held to raise money for towns, charities and local causes. For example, the Picton Ute Muster is held in conjunction with the Picton Ag Show, run by Picton A, H & I Society Inc. It is one of the biggest festivals in New South Wales, and monies raised go to a local charity.

Ute enthusiasts tend to have an obsession with bumper stickers, often covering the entire rear window of the ute with them. Accumulating the most different stickers is a sort of status symbol which is often the deciding factor in many of the Beaut Ute competitions (see below). Some of the popular stickers are Bundaberg Rum, Holden, Jim Beam, Deniliquin Ute Muster and the Conargo Pub.

[edit] Beaut ute

The event itself involves a congregation of ute enthusiasts who enter their utes in a number of competitions, sometimes referred to as a Bute Ute Competition. Some of the typical categories are:

• Best Feral Ute – the dirtiest, worst maintained, lived-in Ute
• Best B&S Ute – generally decorated with beer cans and stickers of alcohol brands, car companies or various pubs
• Best 4WD
• Best Classic Ute – pre-1980 in most original condition.
• Best Chick's Ute – Ute owned and maintained by a woman.
• Best Street Ute – immaculate, gleaming condition.
• Best Trade Ute – Ute decorated with equipment from a particular trade.
• Best Rural Ute – decorated for the rural life.

[edit] Records

Most of the ute muster events around Australia try to compete with each other by continually breaking new records such as, "Most utes with dogs in the back" and the "Blue Singlet Record Count".

However, ever since the Guinness Book of Records became involved, starting from 2 October 1999, where the Deniliquin Ute Muster broke the record for the largest parade of legally registered utes in the world, each year new records are broken. At that time, 2839 drivers took part, establishing Deniliquin as the ute capital of the world – as the Deniliquin Ute Muster continually advertises each year. Since that time, the event has grown in popularity and each year breaks its existing world record. As of 2006, Deniliquin’s current record stands at 6,811 utes, with over 20 000 attendees in a town that normally has a population of about 8000.

[edit] Distinction from other festivals

Ute musters are often held to help raise funds for local charities, such as raising funds for local schools or hospitals. Often the ute musters are associated with local groups such as Apex or Rotary. They are seen as a good drawcard to bring in money from participants who are not members of the local community - so all money spent is extra money for the local community, whether it goes to the local charity, or just to the local economy.

To get an idea of how a muster actually works, you should visit some other ones about 12 months prior to yours. This will give you an idea of what the musters are all about. Have a chat with the organisers of other musters, find out about insurance, etc and go from there.

Musters are often held in conjunction with local agricultural shows. This will assists orgainsers in arranging advertising, insurance and other sponsorship. It can also assist in obtaining the cooperation of local emergency services such as police and ambulance, if the muster is one aspect of a larger, previously established local event.

Most ute musters charge a relatively small fee for participants, allowing them to enter any category they are qualified for. Most participants would enter between five to ten categories, as this keeps the event proceeding. Many participants travel long distances to enter and prefer activities to be held in a short timeframe to allow them to join in other parts of the festival.

Well organised events cater for camping. As this is a usual festival environment drawing participants from large distances in country areas there are limited opportunities for public transport. Both competitors and other participants often make extensive use of any bar facilities; in many events the bar provides a large portion of the funds raised. Well organised events provide for camping as often the most practical accommodation for all concerned.

Whilst larger musters can annoy some locals, this is seen as the exception rather than the rule. Most musters attract between 20-100 utes, depending upon event advertising. Commonly, musters also have maximum numbers permitted to attend - this is often a requirement in obtaining event permits.

Event committees need to liaise carefully with local law enforcement. Some officers like to defect utes for the smallest of things, and if your local constablary does this at or after a muster, you will not get the repeat attendance the following year. The muster held at Deniliquin is a good example of close relationships with NSW Police. Whilst the organisers recognise that some attendants can flout the law, this is seen as a minority and the event is able to proceed in a realistic environment. This achieves the events goals of fundraising and ensures participants are able to enjoy the event.

[edit] External links

• Deniliquin Ute Muster home page
• Deniliquin Ute Muster photographs
• The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival Ute Muster

This article does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.