At the Deni Ute Muster, safety is as important as the entertainment.
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And with the event attracting a sell-out crowd this year, for the very first time in its history, those looking after the welfare of all Muster-goers say safety has never been more important.
The Muster team partner with a range of emergency services, who will operate out of an operations centre near gate one (the main entry gate near the Ute Paddock).
Playing a key role in running that operations centre will be the NSW Police Force.
Deniliquin-based Detective Chief Inspector Michael Fuller said more than 60 specialist and user pays officers are expected to arrive in Deniliquin for the festival, to supplement Deniliquin Police and other Murray River Police District resources.
“Murray River Police District is excited to be doing our part for the 2025 Deniliquin Ute Muster,” he said.
“The police operation at the Deniliquin Ute Muster is about supporting the event organisers, security, volunteers and event staff with massive crowds and camping across the site.
“It commences from Thursday and continue until the end of the festival on Sunday.
“As is the case each year, local police resources will be supplemented with user pays officers coming to work at the Deni Ute Muster, in addition to specialist officers across Operational Support Group (OSG), Public Order & Riot Squad (PORS), Mounted Police, Trail Bike Operatives, Police Dog Squad and licensing officers being involved in the operation.”
But Det Chief Insp Fuller said it’s not all about policing; it’s about outreach too.
“We will also have officers from the Youth Command/PCYC at the site, so that’s a great chance to have a chat about recruitment, especially if you are keen to find out more about the chance to be a Cop in Your Home Town.
“If interested, we would encourage you to check out www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment to learn more.
“It’s also a great chance to talk with police and see what’s involved in a major event.”
Det Chief Insp Fuller said it’s always an experience to see the Ute Muster site become a city of its own every NSW Labour Day weekend, and said everyone in attendance has a responsibility to make it a great weekend for everyone.
“We encourage everyone to have a great time, but don’t forget when you bought your ticket to enter the Deni Ute Muster site you signed up to the terms and conditions of entry, which is about keeping everyone safe.
“If you are not sure about any of the rules, it would be a great idea to check their website - https://www.deniutemuster.com.au - to make your time at the event great from the first moment you arrive.
“Police will be on site to support the event organisers, event security and volunteers.
“It’s a massive event with music, activities, bars and entertainment plus camping.
“The police focus is highly visible patrols and engagement with the event patrons to have their best time.
“We aren’t the fun police, we are the Deniliquin Police, so we encourage you to look out for your mates, remembering that the festival licensed areas have the same rules as a pub in town.”
Muster patrons are also encouraged to have safety in mind when heading home after the muster, and take advantage of onsite services like the breathalyser.
“One of the great things we saw last year was the way people at the event used the ‘breatho’ in the festival grounds, to check they were right to drive before they left the festival.
“The fact that donations from that service helps local kids with driver education is a great outcome.
“We hope that this year, as was the case last year, that the event patrons get home safe and have many fun memories of the 2025 Deni Ute Muster.”
The Ute Muster coincides with a statewide policing operation for the Labour Day long weekend, which Det Chief Insp Fuller said would see a big presence on the roads by Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.
During the long weekend, double demerits are in force in NSW and the ACT from Thursday to midnight on Sunday.
Key focus areas for the operation are impaired driving (alcohol and drugs), driver fatigue, seatbelts and helmets, speed and distracted driving (phones and other devices).
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Chief Insp Fuller’s cop tips for a great muster:
• There will be traffic and lots of it, especially for the camping grounds bump in. Make sure you follow the rules on what you are allowed to bring in, so you make it faster for everyone to get into the event. Be respectful on the roads.
• If you’re planning to drink, use the bus service to get into town and back from the event. Don’t chance drinking and driving.
• Look out for your mates - in the camping areas, muster areas and around the licensed areas. Remember that event volunteers, event staff and event security want you to have a good time. In licensed areas, the same rules apply as at your pub at home.
• The police are there to help the event staff keep everyone safe. We want everyone to have a great time, but if you break the law or festival conditions of entry you risk a charge, court appearance and being evicted from the event site. This could ruin the Muster experience for you and your group.
• Have a good time and make good choices.