Mountain Country Music Muster receives $10k from Regional Events Scheme to pillar festival’s third year

A country music festival in the Stirling Range has received a funding boost to support the event’s third year, with a special guest set to headline the 2025 show. The Regional Events Scheme has awarded $10,000 to the Mountain Country Music Muster, a four-day camping and music experience at the Mt Trio Bush Camp and Caravan Park from October 30. Shepherd’s Hut wine tastings, a Friday night movie, poetry mornings, markets and food vans will keep festival-goers entertained. The event attracts local and national artists, with X Factor star Jason Stanley travelling from Queensland to headline the 2025 show. Founder Margot Byrne said this was the first grant she and her partner had received. “It’s nice to see something coming to a small business in a regional area,” she said. “We’ve built our whole campground on our own back.” Ms Byrne said they would use the funding to set up a website dedicated to the festival, enabling easier access to event information and bookings. The idea began with country music acts playing at the Mt Trio Bush Camp and Caravan Park on long weekends. After Ms Byrne and her partner worked with another couple who were excited about the project, the festival came to life in 2023. Ms Byrne said the event was positive and benefited the community. “We ran the first one and it was a great success, everyone loved it,” she said. “Regional events in general seem to be dropping out, and anything that can uplift the community, bring people together, bring tourists in, is good both financially and emotionally.” Regional Development Minister Don Punch said he was excited about the upcoming RES grant events. “It’s always fantastic to see such variety in our regional events calendar, and the 2025-26 line-up is no exception,” Mr Punch said. “From discovering delicious food in the Gascoyne to outback music festivals to game fishing, there is so much to discover and enjoy across regional Western Australia. “And the WA Government is proud to continue supporting events that create jobs for regional communities.” Tickets are on sale on the Mt Trio website at mttrio.com.au.