ON THE ROAD: Inverell Ute Muster organiser Abby Henley with the hotted-up ute she is driving across NSW to promote the inaugural event. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 260912GOB01
UTE lovers are revving up for this year’s Inverell Ute Muster and country music fans will now get to boot scoot alongside the Sunny Cowgirls, Morgan Evans and McAlister Kemp.
The country music giants have all signed on as entertainment, helping to boost interest in the inugural event.
Social media has also been instrumental in gaining interest with a large number of people wanting to attend, contacting organiser Abby Henley via Facebook.
Ms Henley also announced the entertainment line-up via the Facebook page, which now has more than 600 people who have liked the page.
“Facebook has been huge. We have virtually done no advertising so for that many people to ‘like’ our page is great,” she said.
The dedicated Ms Henley is keen to see this event work and become an annual attraction.
She is currently racking up plenty of kilometres driving her hotted-up ute across NSW, hanging promotional signage up in every town she comes to.
She recently stopped in Tamworth where she spoke with The Leader about her lengthy trip.
With her swag in tow and some tunes on the radio, she said she was enjoying the drive so much she’s going to consider doing the same thing in Queensland and Victoria.
This is the first major event Ms Henley has organised and she conceded to feeling “a little overwhelmed a month ago”, but the ute enthusiast is now cruising along.
“It’s been a big learning curve and let’s just say I’ve definitely learnt to swim in the deep end,” she said.
The event will kick off on December 1, and has attracted support from across the region.
Inverell Shire Council and member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay have assisted in generating interest.
Mr Torbay arranged for a laptop computer to be donated to Ms Henley to help keep up with social media demands.
“Richard Torbay has been great in helping us find grants and funding,” Ms Henley said.
“I’m using the new laptop now and I can’t tell you how much easier it’s making life.”