Loading...
Done
Men ride on the back of a truck driving through mud on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. In the small rural town of Deniliquin, on the edge of Australia's vast outback, around 20,000 “ute” lovers gathered in the mud to champion a national treasure deemed surplus to requirements by the big car manufacturers. Part car, part pickup truck, the Australian-made utility vehicle has become synonymous with farmers Down Under and is the centrepiece of the annual Deni Ute Muster festival, a two-day alcohol-fuelled celebration of all things rural Australia. Now in its 18th year, the festival has grown to include country music performances from Grammy award-winning artist Keith Urban, a rodeo, whip-cracking championship and gallery of artwork created with chainsaws. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Men ride on the back of a truck driving through mud on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. In the small rural town of Deniliquin, on the edge of Australia's vast outback, around 20,000 “ute” lovers gathered in the mud to champion a national treasure deemed surplus to requirements by the big car manufacturers. Part car, part pickup truck, the Australian-made utility vehicle has become synonymous with farmers Down Under and is the centrepiece of the annual Deni Ute Muster festival, a two-day alcohol-fuelled celebration of all things rural Australia. Now in its 18th year, the festival has grown to include country music performances from Grammy award-winning artist Keith Urban, a rodeo, whip-cracking championship and gallery of artwork created with chainsaws. But it's the “utes” that keep the revellers coming back, even though a deluge of rain turned the usually dusty New South Wales state venue, some 300 km north of Melbourne, into a mud pit. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Mel Harris shouts whilst a pick up truck belches smoke on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Mel Harris shouts whilst a pick up truck belches smoke on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Men wearing Australian traditional bushmen's hats are silhouetted against colourful amusement rides in the late afternoon sun at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Men wearing Australian traditional bushmen's hats are silhouetted against colourful amusement rides in the late afternoon sun at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Tags normally attached to cows' ears to identify them are used decoratively by a regular attendee of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Tags normally attached to cows' ears to identify them are used decoratively by a regular attendee of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A couple kiss on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A couple kiss on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A man dressed as a kangaroo bounces down the main thoroughfare at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A man dressed as a kangaroo bounces down the main thoroughfare at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A bull rider dons a helmet before competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A bull rider dons a helmet before competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



One of several men dressed as a kangaroo is tackled by a drunk man at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

One of several men dressed as a kangaroo is tackled by a drunk man at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A bull rider's spurs feature images of golden kangaroos as he helps a competitor mount his steer at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A bull rider's spurs feature images of golden kangaroos as he helps a competitor mount his steer at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Aboriginal bull rider Sally Malay from the Kimberley region in the Western Australian outback is thrown off a bull during competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Aboriginal bull rider Sally Malay from the Kimberley region in the Western Australian outback is thrown off a bull during competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Australian couple Darren McGarvie, 27, and Nicole York, 24, wake up after spending the night together in McGarvie's Holden Commodore Ute at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Australian couple Darren McGarvie, 27, and Nicole York, 24, wake up after spending the night together in McGarvie's Holden Commodore Ute at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Robert Dowse, 35, from Frankston in the Australian state of Victoria  powers his Australian “ute” he calls “General Lee” through thick mud during a “circle work” competition of vehicle handling skills at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Robert Dowse, 35, from Frankston in the Australian state of Victoria powers his Australian “ute” he calls “General Lee” through thick mud during a “circle work” competition of vehicle handling skills at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Volunteers push a bogged Australian ute out of the mud during the “circle work” competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Volunteers push a bogged Australian ute out of the mud during the “circle work” competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Sheep shearer Chris Kermond from Ballarat in the Australian state of Victoria holds his can of pre-mixed rum and cola after losing control of his motorised “esky” drink cooler at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 29, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Sheep shearer Chris Kermond from Ballarat in the Australian state of Victoria holds his can of pre-mixed rum and cola after losing control of his motorised “esky” drink cooler at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 29, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Operators of a monster truck bearing a skull and crossbones pirate flag alongside an Australian flag watch a national circle work championship of dirt driving at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Operators of a monster truck bearing a skull and crossbones pirate flag alongside an Australian flag watch a national circle work championship of dirt driving at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Aboriginal bull rider Sally Malay from the Kimberley region of Western Australia tapes up his hands prior to the bull riding competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Aboriginal bull rider Sally Malay from the Kimberley region of Western Australia tapes up his hands prior to the bull riding competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Sheep shearer Chris Kermond from Ballarat in the Australian state of Victoria rides a motorised “esky” or drink cooler, while drinking a can of pre-mixed rum and cola at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 29, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Sheep shearer Chris Kermond from Ballarat in the Australian state of Victoria rides a motorised “esky” or drink cooler, while drinking a can of pre-mixed rum and cola at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 29, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A pair of “truck nuts”, decorative adornments dangling on the tow balls of many Australian bush “utes”, are pictured moments before swinging on the back of a ute taking part in a mud derby at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A pair of “truck nuts”, decorative adornments dangling on the tow balls of many Australian bush “utes”, are pictured moments before swinging on the back of a ute taking part in a mud derby at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Bull rider Tom Phibbs, 21, from Chiltern, smokes a cigarette before competing at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Bull rider Tom Phibbs, 21, from Chiltern, smokes a cigarette before competing at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Jess Elderedge makes a “mud angel” as a friend lays toilet paper around her during a party at sunset on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Jess Elderedge makes a “mud angel” as a friend lays toilet paper around her during a party at sunset on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A man holds a “tits out” sign on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A man holds a “tits out” sign on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



A spinning ferris wheel is reflected in mud after heavy rains flooded the sideshow carnival at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

A spinning ferris wheel is reflected in mud after heavy rains flooded the sideshow carnival at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, September 30, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Mud-covered revellers roam a campsite on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Mud-covered revellers roam a campsite on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Revellers dance to a DJ's music blasting from a van on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Revellers dance to a DJ's music blasting from a van on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Men participate in a mud fight on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Men participate in a mud fight on the final night of the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Campers trudge through mud among hundreds of ute vehicles in a paddock in this aerial picture at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Campers trudge through mud among hundreds of ute vehicles in a paddock in this aerial picture at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)



Bull rider Sam Woodall from Heywood in the Australian state of Victoria is thrown off a bull during competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)

Bull rider Sam Woodall from Heywood in the Australian state of Victoria is thrown off a bull during competition at the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, New South Wales, October 1, 2016. (Photo by Jason Reed/Reuters)
13 Oct 2016 11:17:00