It’s won local, state and national awards galore, but one has eluded the Deni Play on the Plains Inc team for the last 10 years ... until now.
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It can now also add the Deniliquin Business Chamber’s prestigious Business of the Year trophy to the cabinet.
The biggest accolade handed out at the annual Business Excellence Awards, it was one of five the team behind the Deniliquin Ute Muster and other great local initiatives claimed on the night.
They also picked up Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, Excellence in Marketing, Excellence in Small Business and Outstanding Visitor Experience.
The five awards collectively are a source of pride for the team, but general manager Vicky Lowry said the Business of the Year gong holds a little extra weight.
She said this is not only because of the significance of the award, but because it also signifies the growth and development of Play on the Plains Festival Inc.
“In the early years we were not a company so we were never eligible, but we made the move to become a company limited by guarantee a decade ago,” Mrs Lowry said.
“We’re still not-for-profit, and we still have a board of directors, but we are officially a business.
“We have six staff members in a combination of permanent and part-time roles (not including Vicky).
“We also have one casual staff member, and volunteers who assist us during the year.
“Our core values are the same as any business, to grow, and we’re in the process of doing that.
“Even though we are a bit left field of what people usually consider as a traditional business, we are a small business that operates throughout the year.
“We do so much more than just put on the Deni Ute Muster; we have the museum, a retail space, and we cater to tourists as well.”
Mrs Lowry said the growth of the business has also led to the Ute Muster’s offices and site being used as an events and meetings venues.
“Our office is a place where other community organisations can come and hold their meetings, and our site can also be used as a public and private venue.
“The Keith Urban concert was a good example of that, and we’ve also recently taken on the Deniliquin Truck Show and Industry Expo, proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Deniliquin, which will be held on site later this year.
“The site is also used by emergency services.
“And then when it comes to the actual Ute Muster, between the artists, volunteers, community groups, around the grounds entertainers and our subcontractors, we give an average of 2500 people an opportunity to raise money from our event each year.
“And then there’s also what comes back into the community as a result of our event.
“We have to run like a business, and it is a tough business.
“We have 12 months of the year to work on our event, but we only get two days to get it right.”
The Deni Ute Muster got its start in 1999, and no-one had ever quite seen an event like it.
“Nothing comes close to what Deni does every year come the New South Wales Labour Day Long Weekend, when the Ute Muster takes place and aficionados travel the length and breadth of this great wide land and now indeed the world to converge in Deni to celebrate our laconic, music loving, entertainment packed, family focused festival,” the award citation read.
“The muster began 26 years ago as a celebration of our unique laid-back lifestyle with ute culture at its heart.
“Right from its very origin the Deni Ute Muster had a deep and genuine connection with its audience, and it’s this authenticity that continues to foster a unique loyalty, and a sense of pride and community that is second to none.
“The Deni Ute Muster is an event that has not only captured the hearts of Deni, the Riverina Murray region, and the state of New South Wales, it is known and loved throughout the entire nation.”
Mrs Lowry said winning the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion was also important for everyone involved in the Ute Muster, who have worked hard to make the event accessible to all.
“We have done a lot of work on site and in working with patrons, and with the infrastructure we’ve implemented we are now more accessible friendly.
“We also take inclusion seriously when it comes to our volunteer base.
“Some of our volunteers are as old as 80. There’s always something we can find for them to do because they just want to feel included.
“We also have a partnership with Kurrajong, which allows their disability clients to volunteer with us throughout the year because they love the event so much and just want to be involved.”
Given how it does operate, Mrs Lowry said the awards snagged on Friday night belong to more than just the paid staff at Deni Play on the Plains Festival Inc.
“Each member of our team has played a huge part in our multitude of awards.
“They all have their different roles, but come together as one and are a perfect fit for this organisation.
“They should all be very proud of their role in these awards.
“And that goes for our volunteers and volunteer board too, who all step up and pitch in to do the hard years too.
“I want to thank the board for their continued support.”
The full list of award winners from Friday night is as follows:
• Excellence in Customer Service (Individual) - Brenda Eames.
• Outstanding Employee - Miranda Rose.
• Outstanding Young Business Leader - Tessa Chartres and Jack Fitzpatrick.
• Outstanding Business Leader - Iain Goodway.
• Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion - Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd.
• Excellence in Customer Service (Business) - Deniliquin Veterinary Clinic.
• Excellence in Marketing - Deni Ute Muster.
• Employer of Choice (20 employees and under) - Deniliquin Veterinary Clinic.
• Employer of Choice (21 Employees and Over) - Murray Irrigation Ltd.
• Keith and Pat Purtill Award for an Outstanding Community Organisation - CareSouth.
• Outstanding New Business - PhysioFit with Britt.
• Excellence in Micro Business - Deniliquin Riverside Caravan Park.
• Excellence in Small Business - Deni Play On The Plains Festival Ltd.
• Outstanding Visitor Experience - Deni Ute Muster.
• Excellence in Manufacturing and Trade - Hotondo Homes Denbrok Constructions.
• Norm Brennan Community Contribution Award - Sue Laing.
• 2024 Chamber Champion - Kathy Simpson.
• Chamber/Gaye Riggall Scholarship - Matilda Glowrey.
• Outstanding Construction Apprentice/Will McKern Scholarship - Cooper Willoughby.
Certificates of appreciation were also awarded to the former owners of three long-standing businesses on Friday night.
Receiving Business Community Contribution certificates were Rob Hallum and Glenn and Corina Beames from Central IGA, Rob and Mon Collicoat from Betta Home Living and Peter Hetherington from Mokanger Butchers.
All three businesses continue to operate under new ownership.
You can read more about the other award winners in the Pastoral Times’ Business Excellence Awards feature, which will be in Friday’s edition.
Senior journalist