Bucking back to life: Dirt ‘n dust of the rodeo returns

Suellen Hinde - Queensland Editor | March 3, 2022

Queenslanders who love the thrills and spills of the rodeo are boot scooting with joy as the much-loved country event is making a comeback after two years of cancellations due to the pandemic.

Before COVID-19 shut down many events, there were 224 rodeos in Queensland each year attracting more than half a million spectators and bringing more than $62million into the economy.

“We are going to have the majority of events back this year,” National Rodeo Association Chairman Jason Hall told The Queenslander.

“A lot of communities were hesitant to run event because of the rules and social distancing but we have some huge numbers coming back this year.

“Rodeo is the lifeblood of the community; it is part of our cultural identity and part of our history.”

There are newspaper reports documenting the first rodeos taking place in Australia in the 1880s. It is a great opportunity for those working with cattle and horses to showcase their skills learnt on stations in the outback.

“The annual rodeo is a key part of the social fabric of the country and an important economic activity,” Mr Hall said.

“It boosts visitor numbers in towns benefiting hotels, motels, and cafes as well as the event organisers and stock contractors and trainers. There are 25 stock contractors and 50 trainers supplying the Queensland industry.

“But it is also a family event – often there can be generations of a family involved and it is probably one of the only sporting competitions where a husband, wife and their children can all compete at the same even. 

“Country people often deal with harsh conditions like drought and they work hard, and this gives them a chance to celebrate.”

Some of the big rodeo events this year will be held at Mount Isa, Julia Creek Dirt’n Dust Festival and the Mareeba rodeo.