Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, the board and more than 300 volunteers that made it successful can take a well deserved bow.
The Upper Murray was packed with visitors for the 30th edition of the festival which broke all records for camping numbers and crowd attendances.
Such a huge undertaking is not possible without the support of the community and the generosity of the festival sponsors who deliver a standout event and a great experience for everyone involved, while also supporting the broader success of the region.
The festival recorded more than 59,000 visitations to events over the four days and the injection into the local economy is estimated at $9.75 million.
This does not take into account the visitors who start arriving in Corryong earlier in the week and those who stay on after the event for Easter and the school holidays.
Many local traders reported record turnover for the week which is a great benefit to businesses as a traditionally quiet winter looms.
In addition, the festival supported local businesses by issuing ‘buy local’ vouchers for its volunteers.
The festival also provides catering opportunities for community groups to raise funds at a number of events.
Unfortunately, despite the undoubted benefit of the festival to the community, there are disruptive elements out there that suffer from ‘tall poppy syndrome’.
As the festival got into full swing, staff from at least four government agencies including the Department of Health and Worksafe descended on the event in search of infractions that impeded organisers and volunteers while trying to deal with record attendances.
When questioned about the timing of the inspections, the unanimous response was that they had received an anonymous tip-off.
You have to question the rationale for people creating this type of mischief unless there is an underlying motive for their actions.
Is it more than coincidence that there was scuttlebutt among festival-goers that the event was to be moved to Tumbarumba?
If such moves are afoot, the government agency raids are more malicious than mischievous.
MCEd.
Related stories: Best bush bash ever; Festival celebrates major milestone.
This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 24 April 2025.
