The Deni Ute Muster country festival has sunk to a new low.
Horrific images have surfaced showing revellers at the festival pouring beer down a dead owl’s throat as they clutch the bird like a trophy.
The men throw celebratory fists in the air as they grin at the camera, seemingly pleased with the apparent act of animal cruelty.
The annual event was created 20 years ago to bring in tourism to the drought-affected town in New South Wales’ Riverina region.
A man is pictured smiling holding the dead owl like a trophy with a beer in his other hand
Another image shows a man grabbing the owl by its throat as he pours beer down its throat and on-lookers smiling and cheering him on
In one image, a man is pictured smiling holding the dead owl like a trophy with a beer in his other hand.
Another image shows a man grabbing the owl by its throat as he pours beer down its throat while onlookers grin and cheer him on.
Things appeared to get worse in the 20th year of Australia’s ‘bogan Burning Man’, with fire trucks being called out to help control raging fires.
Fires are allowed at the festival, but must be contained in a maxim 44-gallon drum.
Dramatic images depict large flames and grey smoke bellowing over revellers as emergency services arrive and work to contain the fire.
Fires can be clearly seen bigger than what the rules state should be and were deemed as dangerous by the fire department.
A fire truck is seen at the festival to control the fire which appears to be bigger than half a 44 gallon drum
A reveller cracking a bull whip on top of her ute at the annual Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin
Revellers watch on as a fire gets out of control at the Deni Ute Muster festival
Over the course of 20 years, the salt-of-the-earth festival in Deniliquin – which is playfully known as ‘Deni’ – has blossomed in to an event celebrating country lifestyle.
The Muster has long been associated with country town tropes such as lawn-mowing races, butchery, wood chopping, as well as whip-cracking and driving competitions.
As it leaps in to the second decade, the main focus of the festival is not only Deniliquin’s agricultural and farming roots, but their self-proclaimed title as the Ute Capital of the World.
Over the course of 20 years, the salt-of-the-earth festival in Deniliquin – which is playfully known as ‘Deni’ – has blossomed in to an event celebrating country lifestyle
Festival-goers descended on the dusty plains in the southern NSW town for the two-day event on Friday
Festival-goers descended on the dusty plains in the southern NSW town for the two-day event on Friday.
Scores of attendees wore their blue singlet in an attempt to beat the ‘bluey’ record of 3959 people donning unofficial traditional attire.
With a line-up of country and rock stars such as Carrie Underwood, Kasey Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley, more than 20,000 parked their caravans and fitted out their ute for the event.
The Deni Ute Muster has long been associated with country town tropes such as lawn-mowing races, butchery, wood chopping, as well as whip-cracking and driving competitions
More than 20,000 parked their caravans and fitted out their ute for the event
This year’s family-friendly event was fit with a mixture of activities ranging from laser-tag, helicopter rides, bull rides and car races
This year’s family-friendly event was fit with a mixture of activities ranging from laser-tag, helicopter rides and bull rides
This year’s family-friendly event was fit with a mixture of activities ranging from laser-tag, helicopter rides and bull rides.
As well as the all-ages events, some revellers to the opportunity to loosen-up making use of generous BYO alcohol allowances.
In true Australian style, festival-attendee’s whisked off their outback boots, dusted with red-earth for a shoey.
Revellers were sprawled across the festival grounds necking their beer, wine and spirits from their sweaty shoes.
Revellers were sprawled across the festival grounds necking their beer, wine and spirits from their sweaty shoes
Scores of attendee’s wore their blue singlet in an attempt to beat the ‘bluey’ record of 3959 people donning unofficial traditional attire
Dairy Farmer Troy Rossborough is yet to miss a year since the Deni Ute Muster began in March 1999.
‘I just love the atmosphere,’ the father of two told the ABC.
It gives me a chance to get away from the farm and relax with mates,’ he said.
Another veteran attendee, Bill Norris said he has seen the festival grow from the humble beginnings, when he was one of 2,000 people.
He first slept under the stars in the back of his ute, but he has since upgraded to a caravan with his wife and pet magpie, Maggie.
‘We started in the back of an old Landcruiser but we got a bit old for it,’ Mr Norris said.
‘I think you get a bit older, a bit wiser and a bit more keen on comfort,’ he told the publication.
The festival in Deniliquin is a moment for proud Australians to blow off some steam in the rural New South Wales town