We couldn’t possibly fit everything captured at the 2022 Deni Ute Muster in one newspaper, so we’ve created three photo galleries for our website and are following up with a story that slipped through the cracks.
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Not all fun and games for Bogan Bingo winner
Wendy Wescon was the winner of Bogan Bingo at the Deni Ute Muster — but the moment meant a whole lot more than a simple meat tray.
The Sydneysider was in town to lay her husband’s ashes to rest at the Deniliquin Cemetery alongside his father and brother.
“My husband grew up in Deni, he moved away in 1972. We were married 45 years,” Mrs Wescon said.
“He died last year and I’ve brought his ashes down.”
Mrs Wescon said it was only right her husband rest beside his family in his childhood home town.
“We thought we’d come down on the anniversary of his death, put his ashes in and come out to the ute muster. So yeah, it means something to me that I won Bogan Bingo,” she said.
Mrs Wescon beat out a young bloke for the win — he stumbled at the last minute after incorrectly crossing out the wrong number.
As her win was announced, Mrs Wescon danced in front of the crowd to cheers, wild applause and hugs from her family.
She then received the winner’s meat tray (a can of Spam), thongs and several other ‘bogan’ prizes.
“I love it,” Mrs Wescon said of the ‘meat tray’.
“I rang my daughter and mentioned the meat tray. She said ‘oh I’ll come and get it and put it in the freezer’, I said ‘you don’t really have to’.”
When asked what she thought of the Deni Ute Muster, Mrs Wescon admitted it was good but not her speed.
“I think it’s great and good fun. I think the family will be back again — but I don’t think I will. I can’t camp!”
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John Williamson through the crowd Photo by Daneka HillImage 2 of 13
People in the front row left their potatoe twists Photo by Daneka HillImage 3 of 13
Troy Cassar-Daley Photo by Daneka HillImage 4 of 13
John Williamson set Photo by Daneka HillImage 5 of 13
Ian Moss Photo by Daneka HillImage 6 of 13
Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham Photo by Daneka HillImage 7 of 13
Troy Cassar-Daley Photo by Daneka HillImage 8 of 13
Busby Marou played right before The Angels headlined. Photo by Daneka HillImage 9 of 13
The Angels lead singer Dave Gleeson Photo by Daneka HillImage 10 of 13
The Angels guitarist - one of the Brewster brothers, we’re not sure which. Photo by Daneka HillImage 11 of 13
crowd shot - John Williamson set Photo by Daneka HillImage 12 of 13
John Williamson set Photo by Daneka HillImage 13 of 13
crowd shot - Friday night Photo by Daneka Hillserfsf
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Rodeo Photo by Daneka HillImage 2 of 9
Rodeo Photo by Daneka HillImage 3 of 9
Rodeo clowns rush in to protect a rider - and get hit themselves. This brindle bull was the most aggressive of the lot and gained a reputation. He should have a bright career ahead of him. Photo by Daneka HillImage 4 of 9
Shepparton bull rider Jono O'Donoghue picks up his bull rope after a fall. The bull rope is the only thing keeping the riders on the bull and without their hand holding the rope tight, it slips apart. There is also a bell attached to the bull rope, weighing the rope down and allowing it to slip right off the bull once the rider falls. Photo by Daneka HillImage 5 of 9
Bull riders line up before the event. Photo by Daneka HillImage 6 of 9
A rodeo clown gets flipped over Photo by Daneka HillImage 7 of 9
Rodeo Photo by Daneka HillImage 8 of 9
Rodeo Photo by Daneka HillImage 9 of 9
Rodeo Photo by Daneka Hillsdfd
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2022 Deni Ute Muster Photo by Daneka HillImage 2 of 12
2022 Deni Ute Muster Photo by Daneka HillImage 3 of 12
2022 Deni Ute Muster Photo by Daneka HillImage 4 of 12
Heath Boswell won the 2022 Ute of the Year award for his complete restoration of a junk-yard Ford Falcon. It also won best classic ute. Photo by Daneka HillImage 5 of 12
2022 ute of the year. Photo by Daneka HillImage 6 of 12
The before and after. Heath Boswell said when he first got his ute, it had no floor, was full of shearer's combs and never had a radio. "I needed a project. It keeps me out of trouble," the Stockdown, NSW resident said. Photo by Daneka HillImage 7 of 12
Mathew Robinson from Port Peirie, SA. Mr Robinson's Ford won runner up ute of the year, best themed ute and runner up furthest travelled. Photo by Daneka HillImage 8 of 12
Shez and Mitch Van Baardwijk from Goulburn, NSW. Mitch's stock Holden X8 is off-road capable and used to tow. It won best country ute. It also entered in the loudest engine category, but Mitch was competing in the tradie challenge at the time so his mum Shez had to rev the engine for the judges - the first time she'd even done it. Photo by Daneka HillImage 9 of 12
Kevin Neal with his 1983 Holden WB. The Warwick, QLD resident won furthest travelled (1271kms from Warwick, QLD), best BNS ute runner up, best classic runner up and most flags. When asked why he'd come so far, Mr Neal said: "this ute." Photo by Daneka HillImage 10 of 12
Sharni Wadley with her yellow one-tonner. It won 2022 runner up best chick's ute and best overall street ute. Photo by Daneka HillImage 11 of 12
Sharni Wadley has space for four beer cartons under her ute tray. The Tasmanian received 2022 runner-up best chick's ute and best overall street ute. It wasn't easy however - the ute broke down at Deni and had to be pushed into the show n shine area. A part was found locally and it was fixed in time for the awards. Photo by Daneka HillImage 12 of 12
Dale Elliott from Marshal Mount NSW (Wollongong) won the award for loudest V8. "It's been 10 years since I was last here," Mr Elliott said. He's spent those years transforming this street Holden from Sydney into a country performance ute. Photo by Daneka HillJournalist