Starting at Wentworth in 1987, the Mildura Country Music festival quickly grew to earn its place as Australia’s largest independent country music festival, putting Mildura on the map for thousands of country music pilgrims every year. But time has come for the festival to take its final bow due to lack of funding, marking at the same time John Arnold’s ultimate year as the festival co-ordinator following 19 years of loyal service. Marina Hacquin had a chat with him about the festival’s highlights over its three decades of existence.

IF the story of the Mildura Country Music Festival was to be told in a ballad song, the lyrics would evoke lifelong friendships between Sunraysia locals and visitors from all over Australia.