Sold-out Maleny Music Muster makes history
Pics: Richard Breeds Photography.
The inaugural Maleny Music Muster has made its mark, selling out its first event and bringing music, community and a brand-new Maleny tradition together for one memorable day.
A major highlight was the first Maleny Big Cheese Roll, with more than 300 people taking part, helping raise funds and awareness for the Veterans Welfare Foundation in Beerwah.
Created by country music veteran Col Finley, the Muster was built around a simple vision: celebrate live music, support local businesses and create something unique that belongs to the Maleny community.
For Col and Nellie Finley, watching that idea come to life was the most rewarding part of the day.
“We started with an idea and asked people to believe in it – and they did,” Col said.
“Our sponsors backed us, our artists put on incredible shows, our vendors got behind the event, our volunteers worked tirelessly, and the fans turned up.
“Then to see more than 200 people getting involved in the very first Big Cheese Roll and supporting the Veterans Welfare Foundation was something Nellie and I will never forget.”
The Muster brought together country, folk and blues music, local food and businesses, entertainment and community activities, while the Big Cheese Roll added a uniquely Maleny flavour to the event.
For the organisers, the inaugural Muster was also an opportunity to learn and build for the future.
“This was always going to be our starting point,” Col said.
“We learned a lot, we listened, and we already know there are things we can make even better. That’s part of building an event that we hope Maleny will be proud of for many years.
“But there will only ever be one first Maleny Music Muster and one first Big Cheese Roll. Everyone who supported us this year helped make that little piece of history.”
Col and Nellie thanked the sponsors, artists, volunteers, vendors, local businesses, community organisations and everyone who purchased a ticket or rolled a cheese.
"What started as an idea has now become the beginning of a new Maleny tradition,” said Col.
• The Maleny Music Muster and Big Cheese Roll will return to the Maleny Showgrounds Pavilion on Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25, 2027.
