IT IS difficult to appreciate just how much time, effort and money goes into staging a safe, entertaining and highly competitive combined rodeo and campdraft on the scale we have just seen over the Long Weekend in Coonamble.
Most of us are just there for the fun of it.
But behind the scenes is a very small army of volunteers whose every waking moment goes into anticipating the every need of the thousands of people and cattle and hundreds of horses that descend on the Coonamble Showground each year.
Despite the sparkling sun departing on Friday and not returning until the event was done and dusted, the estimated 2500 spectators, 60-odd sponsors, 500+ competitors and even the volunteers seemed to thoroughly enjoy the non-stop action at both ends of the Showground.
Both gate numbers and entries in all events were up on 2018, with Saturday surprisingly surpassing Sunday as the most popular day, and yet the program seemed to run like clockwork and there was ample space for everyone to get a good view of the thrills and spills.
Extra seating was available in the newly-constructed grandstand contributed by Coonamble Shire Council and the last-minute addition of the Coonamble Rodeo Association’s ‘roof-top bar’ complete with stadium seating provided a premium view for their valued sponsors.
Visitors from Campbelltown City Council, Coonamble Shire’s Sister City, met up with Council’s new General Manager Hein Basson, shire councillors and many locals to enjoy the entertainment, including Duncan Ferguson’s show on Friday night.
Food stalls belonging to Coonamble’s Rugby League Football Club, Rotary Club and Pony Club reported a very profitable weekend and other volunteer groups – the Netball Association, Children’s Services, and Public School P&C – enjoyed one of their year’s biggest fundraisers by operating the gate.
In the main arena, the stock performed to perfection and, in the case of the Open Bullride, beat the cowboys hands down. On Saturday, only Ben Reiter (Victoria) rode time and took the prize with a fairly modest score of 70 while on Sunday the bulls won convincingly with no-one making the qualifying eight seconds.
Stock contractors John Gill & Sons, Heath Nicholls, Fitzsimmon Bros and McPhee Rodeo Co. supplied most of the roughstock, including some familiar names acquired at the Nakadoo Rodeo Co dispersal sale in March, and their movements were capably managed by chute boss Rod Mancell.
Local cattle producer Roger Hertel donated some of the stock for the junior events.
Pick-up men Peter and David Kelly and Ross Turnbull were calm and efficient in their duties and bull-fighters Brody Moss, Rodney-Ray Mancell and ex-local Josh Birks were fearless protectors of cowboys large and small.
A highlight of the weekend’s rodeo events was the Mini Bull Ride with Coonamble hosting the biggest mini bull rodeo to date in the ABCRA calendar.
This new category involves bulls with a maximum height of 120cm from a wide range of breeds from Friesian-cross to Belted Galloways.
The mini bulls attracted record entries and local connections Levi Ward and Liam Birks sharing first prize in the 8-11 years category.
Although the absence of popular clown Big Al was noticed, announcer Glenn Morgan kept the crowd engaged with support from our own David Taylor.
The donation by the Coonamble Raindance Committee saw 141 pre-sold subsidised ticket packs go to local residents for very affordable gate entry throughout the weekend.
Coonamble Rodeo Association President Paul Wheelhouse acknowledged all the people who contributed to the success of the weekend and emphasised the importance of the event to the economy of the district.
“The rodeo runs smoothly in great part due to the work behind the scenes of the committee and volunteers,” Mr Wheelhouse said.
“We have a great Treasurer and the amount of work our Secretary Steven Butler does is unreal,” he said.
“Our on the ground support was better than ever,” Mr Wheelhouse said. “We were fortunate to have most of our sponsors at the event.”
“The Committee and Council have invested a lot of money into the facility over the years and people say it’s up there with the best in Australia.”
“You’ve got to keep improving and doing better,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful event for the town and district and it can put some much-needed money into local pockets.”
“This year occupancy of the town’s motels and hotels was at a maximum with some private accommodation also open over the weekend,” Mr Wheelhouse said.
“Most of the cafes and licensed venues in town reported a good turnover because of the rodeo and campdraft.”
[MORE PHOTOS IN 19 JUNE EDITION.]
