‘We could not do it without them’

While most will put in only two or three days of work, many are there for the Play on the Plains Inc team who run the festival throughout the year.

And Muster general manager Vicky Lowry is thankful for it.

“When I first started with the Deni Ute Muster 10 years ago, our volunteers would only be pulled from the 2710 region only.

“It is amazing that some of them have been doing that since the very first one 25 years ago.

“But as some volunteers have moved away, or have had to retire from volunteering, we’ve opened up our volunteer base to those outside the postcode area.

“We had to, and we could not do it without them.”

Volunteers assist in a variety of ways, from helping the office staff with customer queries, ticket collection and wrist band cash top ups to site preparations, traffic and gate control, and clean up post event.

Local volunteers also run the Muster’s bars for the weekend.

“Our volunteers help right throughout the year - not just for the Muster weekend itself,” Mrs Lowry said.

“They also help us post event to clean up.

“Among our volunteers this year are those involved in more than 20 community groups.

“To repay their efforts, we’ll put at least $70,000 back in to those groups.

“Plus each volunteer gets a pass to the Muster.”

You can spot a Muster volunteer in the crowd this weekend thanks to their yellow volunteer shirts from Ringers Western, or their hi-vis volunteer vests.

Some volunteers may also be wearing their club shirts.

Make sure you take the time to thank them for their efforts.