Gympie Muster announces Beccy Cole as Ambassador
As Queensland’s Gympie Music Muster heads into its 35th anniversary celebrations, it has announced singer songwriter Beccy Cole as its 2016 Ambassador.
Festival Director Jeff Chandler said that a patrons’ survey at this August’s event asked patrons whom they figured would be a good Ambassador for the camping and country music event. The feedback, Chandler says, was “overwhelming. Our patrons wanted Beccy and we have delivered for 2016.”
Cole began performing at the Muster in 1993, and even shot video clips there.
“This event has truly become a part of my career fabric,” she relates. “To be the ambassador on their 35th year is fantastic and I take on this role with excitement, enthusiasm and happiness knowing I’m part of such a remarkable milestone.”
The 2016 festival, held August 25 to 28, will take its direction from the audience survey, Chandler said. What they rated as their Muster experience was “camping, mates and great music and all these are set to play a key role in the 35th Muster.”
The Muster began 34 years ago as a fund-raising initiative by the Apex Club of Gympie. This year it drew 16,000 people, 91% of them from outside the region, and 24.2% revealing it was their first time at the event. The Musterpumped $6.78 million into the Queensland economy
Over the last four years it faced bad weather, declining revenue and increased costs. Last November the board had a restructure and a change of approach which included bringing in Chandler to keep costs down (it costs over $3 million a year to stage it) and expand marketing and sponsorship.
It paid off this year, with a return to the black with a small surplus, and almost $130,000 raised for local community groups.
The 35th anniversary plans include a music conference, a B&S Ball, events for emerging talent and a compilation CD.