The Upper Hunter is the birthplace of the famed Blue Heeler and with several upcoming events – The Great Cattle Dog Muster next month and the namesake short film festival now underway – Muswellbrook Shire Council has paid homage to the heeler with a new range of street banners.

Bessie, a Denman local owned by the Cooper family of Pickering Homestead and her handsome suitor Dusty, a Red Heeler visiting from Sydney, feature on the banners which have been erected by Council in both Muswellbrook and Denman.

The Great Cattle Dog Muster is a three-day event, on from Friday 9 September, with a free community day on Saturday 10 September from 10am-4pm at the Muswellbrook Showgrounds. Activities include working dog demonstrations, competitions and dog sports, free training classes for pet cattle dogs, history exhibit, a showcase of the best food and wine the Upper Hunter has to offer, market stalls live entertainment and children’s entertainment.

Entries are now open for the ninth Blue Heeler Film Festival with a fitting theme of “Working Dogs”. More information and how to enter details are on the Blue Heeler Film Festival Facebook page and on the Film Freeway website.

With a large number of visitors expected in the Shire at these and other events in the coming months, Council is pleased to join the many sponsors to celebrate our very own icon.