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An election will be held to appoint two directors at the Deniliquin Play on the Plains Committee annual general meeting on Wednesday, March 13.

The two vacancies were left by Glenn Thomson, who resigned last year, and Ken Bates.

Mr Bates is confirmed to be standing for the position again, with Meredith Whykes-Tasker and Norm McAllister also standing.

Applications for the positions closed last week.

Committee chair Harold Clapham said whoever was elected would be coming in at an exciting time.

He said the committee would look to continue the success of previous years in 2013.

‘‘The committee is always aiming to make the muster a broader, larger, reflective cross section of the Australian community while maintaining its integrity and roots.

‘‘Overall the Ute Muster is in a good spot (in an organisational sense).

‘‘We’ve made changes that are productive and beneficial in the long term, such as online ticketing.’’

Mr Clapham also said preparations were well under way for the inaugural Deni Blues & Roots Festival to be held Easter Saturday and Sunday at the Ute Muster’s Conargo Rd site.

The chairman hopes the use of the Ute Muster site will grow to ‘‘six to eight times’’ per year for different events.

‘‘It has always been the committee’s intention to make further use of the site.

‘‘Now that the site has been developed with improved infrastructure, there is potential for a new industry in town and for the site to be a prosperous business.

‘‘It could potentially host a whole range of events and activities.

‘‘In the committee’s 15th year, the whole community should be proud of their contributions to the Play on the Plains events ... we’ve come a long way in 15 years.’’

Next month’s meeting will be the last for general manager John Harvie, who resigned from the role in December.

Mr Clapham said an employment agency had been employed to help find his replacement.

The committee aims to have someone employed in the role before Mr Harvie leaves on April 30, and hopefully before the Blues & Roots Festival at Easter.

Mr Clapham said it would allow the new general manager to ‘‘shadow’’ Mr Harvie and ‘‘participate in the process’’.

For more information about nominations or becoming a Play on the Plains Festival member, contact Muster HQ on (03) 5881 3388.