{
  "id": 1557912,
  "title": "Donkeys, camels and the 'Emu Man' call this 'ghost town' home",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/donkeys-camels-and-the-emu-man-call-this-ghost-town-home",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T20:26:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/silverton-quirky-characters-bracing-tourists-mundi-mundi-bash/107045944"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Silverton, a quaint outback town located roughly 25 kilometres north of Broken Hill, is currently buzzing with excitement as thousands of tourists prepare to flock to the area for the annual 2026 Mundi Mundi Bash. This quirky community, home to around 27 residents, boasts a unique lineup of eccentric characters who are more than ready to welcome visitors with open arms.\n\nAt the heart of Silverton's tourism is its self-appointed mayor, sheriff, and town drunk, John Dynon, who also goes by the endearing nickname of the Emu Man. Dynon, a prolific painter, has spent the past 40 years creating vibrant artworks depicting emus and outback scenes in his Silverton gallery, which is adorned with brightly painted vehicles and bicycles. Despite living in Broken Hill, Dynon makes frequent trips to his Silverton studio, where he channels his inspiration from the surrounding outback landscape.\n\nJust a short stroll from Dynon's gallery, visitors can explore a Mad Max 2 museum, filled with memorabilia, costumes, and vehicles from the iconic 1981 film. Adrian Bennett, the museum's curator, moved to Silverton from the UK with his wife Linda in 2009 and has since become a passionate historian of the movie franchise. Bennett welcomes the influx of tourists during the Mundi Mundi Bash, as it significantly boosts the local economy.\n\nThe town's animal residents also play a crucial role in the community. A handful of donkeys roam the streets, while the Silverton Camel Farm, owned by former police officer Petah Devine, is home to a diverse range of animals, including sheep, goats, donkeys, emus, deer, alpacas, pigs, peacocks, geese, guinea fowl, and of course, camels. Devine's passion for animals led her to expand her petting zoo during the festival, offering camel tours and other unique experiences to festival-goers.\n\nAs Silverton prepares to host the Mundi Mundi Bash, the town's residents, both human and animal, eagerly anticipate the surge in tourism that will undoubtedly put Silverton on the map.",
  "summary": "With a population of about 27 people and a handful of donkeys, Silverton can appear like a ghost town. But a self-appointed mayor/town drunk, an accidental cameleer, and a Mad Max aficionado are just some of the quirky locals who call this outback village home.",
  "key_points": [
    "Silverton town has 27 residents and attracts thousands of tourists for Mundi Mundi Bash.",
    "Emu Man, John Dynon, is the town's mayor, sheriff, and self-appointed drunk.",
    "The town hosts a Mad Max 2 museum and a diverse animal farm run by Petah Devine."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}