Muster is off
900 native plants a boost for fish park
Thousands of Deni Ute Muster fans woke to the news yesterday that the famed event has been called off for the second year in a row.
The Play of the Plains Festival Inc board said they could not proceed with the event ‘‘due to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak and related restrictions and border closures’’.
But with the way the COVID-19 situation is panning out, it came as no surprise to the fans.
Many took to social media to express their disappointment, but also said they felt the decision was justified.
Rules currently in place do allow for some events to go ahead using a one person per 4m2 rule, but that would have significantly reduced the muster’s capacity to attract its normal crowd of 18,000 or more patrons over two days.
In a statement released yesterday, the board said they waited as long as they could to make a decision in the hope the situation would improve and restrictions were eased.
‘‘This is not the message that we planned to be sending out just seven weeks prior to our 23rd year, and for a second consecutive year,’’ the statement said.
‘‘It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of the 2021 Deni Ute Muster.
‘‘We have left making this decision for as long as possible, but the risks are continuing to escalate making it impossible to keep everyone safe.
‘‘There is nothing we would like to do more than to party on the plains with you all. For this to happen in the future, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated so that lockdowns and travel restrictions become a thing of the past.
‘‘Our hard working team is as devastated as you must be.
‘‘All of their hard work is once again undone and taken from them.
‘‘We are a team proud to be Australian, resilient and innovative and we will continue to organise a one-of-a-kind festival which captures the heart of all Australians.’’
Last year’s Deni Ute Muster was called off in July, and by September the committee had come up with a way to hold a virtual event featuring a Show N Shine, Blue Singlet Count and Ute Count and prerecorded musical performances by some muster favourites.
There is no word yet on whether similar online events will be hosted in place of a physical event this year.
Like last year, 2021 ticket holders are being advised that their tickets will automatically roll over to next year.
‘‘All current ticket holders for 2021 can choose to transfer tickets to our next Deni Ute Muster, to be held Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, 2022 — no need to do anything as this will happen automatically,’’ the board said.
‘‘If you are unable to attend the event in 2022, you may request a refund from Oztix by visiting https://forms.oztix.com.au/ RefundRequest/. Refund requests are available until 5pm on October 31.
‘‘By retaining your tickets for the 2022 event, you are showing support for our iconic event, our community and region, Aussie artists and music industry, entertainers, crew, vendors, volunteers and contractors.’’
Planning for the 2022 event will start almost immediately, with the board promising to ‘‘be back to you soon with our 2022 artist line up, entertainment schedule and the date tickets will be back on sale’’.
The Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre and Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group planted 900 native seedlings at the Werrpanakata Fish Park on Saturday morning, thanks to the help of volunteers and group members.
The transformation of the public fish park, located within Brown’s Park off Hardinge St, has been a project for a number of years.
The plants can be used in everything from traditional medicines, to food and clothing and will be a valuable educational resource for Yarkuwa in the years to come.
Also on the island will be a fire pit, educational signage and a catch and release fishing platform, all of which have been made accessible to those with mobility issues.
Celebrating Blue and Gold
The Deniliquin Rams are holding their Sponsors Day at the Hardinge St Oval tomorrow.
Food and drinks will be available for sponsors from 12pm-5pm.
Rams seniors co-coach Sam Hall said there ‘‘should be a big buzz’’ at the oval.
The Rams are holding a 2001 and 2011 premiership reunion on Saturday to celebrate those Grand Final wins.
They will play the Moama Magpies, in a vital clash for their finals aspirations.
‘‘It’s a big day for the club and we’d love to have a win to help celebrate,’’ Hall said.
Little Athletics
The Deniliquin Little Athletics Trial Day will be held on Sunday, August 15, from 2pm.
New and former athletes are invited to try out their skills at the event.
The day marks the beginning of the 2021-22 Little Athletics season. Register online at www.lansw.com.au. The official season starts on Friday August 20, from 4.30pm.
Registration is $100 for the season, and as a registered Active Kids provider, government issued vouchers can be used to subsidise the cost.
Works in CBD
Council works across Deniliquin’s CBD will start from Monday, causing minor disruptions to traffic and pedestrian travel to complete the works safely.
Works will start on the footpath, fencing and roads adjacent Waring Gardens in Napier St, and along the Napier St entrance of the lagoons walk.
Water and sewerage works at the Navorina Nursing Home will also disrupt traffic flow around the facility.
Speed limits on affected streets will be reduced, while traffic access to the Macauley St entrance of Navorina will be blocked between August 16 and 20.
The parking behind the Police Station on Riverside Drive will be a ‘no parking’ zone and signage will be in place.
Further information in Tuesday’s PASTORAL TIMES.
Update your listing
It’s time to make changes to your details in the 2022 edition of the Deniliquin Telephone & Business Directory.
You’ll find a white pages alteration form inside today’s edition.
You can check your listing in the White Pages on display at the DENILIQUIN PASTORAL TIMES office, at 230 Cressy St, Deniliquin.
If you require changes, fill out the form or email phonebook@denipt.com.au if you would like a form that can be edited online. Changes are required by September 15. The directory is a Deniliquin Business Chamber initiative, produced by the PASTORAL TIMES.
Pink Pages listings in the directory are also being revised.
New businesses wishing to be included can contact PT administration manager Julie Lowe on 5881 2322 to make an appointment to discuss their requirements.
Businesses included in previous editions can complete and return their proof sheet to the office, or email phonebook@denipt.com.au.
The Pink Pages deadline is also September 15.
Virtual Red Nose Day
Today is Red Nose Day.
Red Nose Day raises money for support services for families impacted by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, historically referred to as cot death.
While the fundraising day is not as prominent as it once was, the need for support is just as great.
More than 3000 babies and young children die of SIDS each year — that’s nine lives lost every day to stillbirth, sudden infant death and other causes.
Red Nose is asking those who can to get silly for our serious cause by getting involved in Red Nose Day online.
The Digital Red Nose (www.instagram.com/ar/195555005223224/) will be taking over social media, you can purchase merchandise from the online store (www.rednoseday.org.au/shop), and there will be a virtual telethon.
To donate call 1300 998 698.
Sleepout on soon
Only two weeks remains until the Vinnies Community Sleepout in Deniliquin.
The fundraiser and awareness campaign on Friday August 27 will see participants sleep out on Cressy St overnight in support of homelessness.
Many local businesses and members of the community are getting behind the cause and have signed up for the night.
Money raised from the sleepout will go towards St Michael’s Conference of St Vincent de Paul in Deniliquin, which supports people experiencing hardship with food, financial aid and clothing.
Sleepout registrations and donations are being taken at my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinniescommunity-sleepout-deniliquin-2021.