Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Merry Muster and how did it come about?
In 2019, The Merry Muster came about from a personal desire to do something tangible for drought, bushfire and flood affected regions of QLD. Coming from the country myself, I felt helpless at how cruel the drought especially has been and the toll it has taken on regional communities. Me simply crying at images on the TV was not going to help, so I came up with a simple idea. Why don't we take our Christmas shopping dollars and spend them out in an area that desperately needs some love, instead of here in the city. And so The Merry Muster was born.
That first year we hired a bus and took 57 people out to Dalby and Bell in the Western Downs region of QLD where we spent the day enjoying country hospitality, shopping our hearts out, donating to a local charity, listening to the locals stories of hardship and injecting over $17,000 into the region in one day.
In 2020 year the event had a growth spurt. On 5 Dec we took 5 buses departing Brisbane and 2 from the Gold Coast (350 people) out to the Southern Downs region, visiting the towns of Warwick and Stanthorpe. We injected just over $114,000 into the regions economy in that one day plus took out 35 cubic metres of donations for 3 local charities and gave 2 cash donations to worthy groups helping out their community.
Our 2021 event saw us take 500 people out on 9 buses to the Scenic Rim and Granite Belt regions where we organised market events at Summer Land Camels and the Granite Belt Christmas Farm featuring 150 bush businesses. We injected just under $157,000 into the region in the one day plus made a cash donation to a regional mens mental health cause “Are You Bogged Mate?’
Our events aim to be a fun day out in the bush that is both good for the soul of our guests and for those who feel they are forgotten by the city in regional areas.
Who runs The Merry Muster?
The Merry Muster is run by Kristin Bonner, the founder of the event. This event is a labour of love and given how big we have grown it takes some work! I am very lucky to have some wonderful friends help me on the day in various roles plus in the lead up to the day. Couldn’t do it without them!
When is the next event?
The event is on hiatus until we can solve our ‘not for profit’ status.
Why hold it in December when it’s so hot?
That’s simple. The intention of the Merry Muster was always for people to spend money they would have otherwise spent here in the city, but spend it out in a region that needs some love. And what better time than Christmas when people have money set aside for gifts for their families and friends. It’s also when the festive spirit is alive in the regions we visit - the makers, creators and bakers have volume of their goods to sell. We know it’s hot at this time of year, but that just shows how dedicated we are to support these regions that little extra bit.
How do I buy tickets?
When an event is announced the tickets will be available via a link both on the website and our Facebook page.
Who does your photography?
Emma Russell is our talented event photographer. Emma is also a highly skilled Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Visual Communicator. Check out her website to see her work or get in touch with her www.emmarussellcreative.com
Who does your PR?
The ladies at Red Stockholm get the word out there for the Muster and are dynamos at what they do.
Who does your website?
Julia Nielson supports us with website design.
Who does your Marketing, Socials and Design?
Kristin is from a Marketing, Advertising, Design and Communication background so does this herself.