It is the first time the event has received any funding outside of sponsorship in its 55 years.

Committee member Kirstin Westerman said the money would be used to improve the marketing of the event and create a marketing plan.

“It means we can get the word out there more and actually expand the event,” she said.

“We’re not going to reveal just yet what we have on the cards, but it’s a new attraction completely separate to rodeo.”

She said in previous years the event had to rely solely on sponsorship and community support to run.

“We started with a zero bank balance last year for the event, so to already have this boost is amazing.”

Event president Colin Ferguson said when he got the call to confirm the dollar amount of the funding this week he was ecstatic.

“It really means a lot to us,” he said.

The Curry Merry Muster is just one of three events to be funded in the Queensland Events Regional Development program’s latest round of funding.

Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge in Hughenden received $15,000 and The Richmond Fossil Festival obtained $25,000.

Flinders Shire Council community development officer Sherillee Honnery said the funding would bring Hughenden’s premier event into the 21st century.