The Mulwala Pop Festival of Easter 1972 was hailed a disaster after two drownings occurred before the three-day festival even began, drugs and alcohol caused problems and the biggest day of the event was washed out.
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However, the photos and items from the festival are something to behold and now have their own display at the Mulwala Pioneer Museum for some months to come.
Police estimated the crowd to stand at 50,000 people with organisers downgrading that number to 30,000, however records showed only 16,000 tickets were paid for, meaning there were an abundance of forged tickets.
The concert was held a few kilometres down from the Yarrawonga Weir on the NSW side of the Murray River. Headline acts were Canned Heat and Stephen Stills.
Many concert goers swam across the river and arrived on site without paying, others listened to the music from the other side of the river.
The festival cost $200,000 to produce, which today would value over $2 million. The festival earned $140,000 in gate takings and proved a financial flop for organisers who went into voluntary liquidation shortly after.
The photographs, newspaper clippings and items of clothing, jewellery and general use make for interesting viewing so make sure to get to the Mulwala Pioneer Museum, Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm – 4.30pm to learn more about one of the towns most notorious events.
