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- New home for Rodeo
26th May 2007: The 2007 Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Rotary
Rodeo, the largest rodeo event in the Southern Hemisphere will
move into a new home and is celebrating the official opening of
the new the Buchanan Park Precinct venue.
Yesterday (Friday 25th May) unveiled the new $16.3million state of
the art complex, a project that in the past two years has seen the
site undergo an amazing and drastic transformation from the local
racecourse façade to now the world class multi-purpose events
complex its stands as today.
The new Mount Isa asset features a race track, rodeo arena and
stadium, merchandise and food areas, showgrounds and show arena,
camping and ablutions area, events administration area, public
recreation areas, Rodeo walk, bar facilities, food outlets, media
centre, tourist information booth, emergency services block and
plenty of amenities.
The International Standard Rodeo Arena was designed by the
Brisbane based Architectural Practice Academy to ensure that those
seated in the back row of the stadium seating would be able to
have a clear view of the action.
“The views of the arena from anywhere in the grandstands will make
you feel like you are right on top of the action,” said Ms Joyce
McCulloch, Mount Isa Rodeo General Manager.
“The arena will be able to seat about 20% of Mount Isa’s
population which is a large seating capacity for anywhere, let
alone a regional area. Some venues in major cities have less than
a 1% capacity”, added Ms McCulloch.
Buchanan Park is located in the heart of Mount Isa on the corner
of George and Sutton Streets. Containing a brand new multi-million
dollar events complex with an arena specifically designed to stage
a world class rodeo event. The arena will be able to seat
approximately 5,500 people in the covered stadium style seating
and two grassed berms.
Previously, the venue for the Isa Rodeo was Kalkadoon Park,
located 8km from the heart of Mount Isa City on the Barkly
Highway. The redevelopment of Buchanan Park is one of the Mount
Isa’s Council's most ambitious projects to date, costing in the
vicinity of $16 million dollars, of which approximately $13
million is made up of Federal and State Government funding, in
addition to a $1 million dollar investment from Xstrata.
The new centre was unveiled by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mark
Vaile and guests were entertained by recent winner of “Dancing
with the Stars”, Kate Cebrano. The new home of Australian rodeo is
already being tried and tested with the celebrations continuing
throughout the weekend with the Rodeo National Circuit Finals
being held in the Buchanan Park arena.
The 2007 Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo will run from Friday
10th to Sunday 12th August 2007. For further information about the
2007 Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo please contact the Media
Unit at RODEO HQ on 07 47432706 or 0409985997.
Mount Isa Rodeo – Backgrounder -
The Isa Rodeo is presented by the combined Rotary Clubs of
Mount Isa. The three clubs are the Mount Isa Club, Mount Isa West
and Mount Isa South.
The Origins
Steeped in over 40 years of history, The Mount Isa Rotary
Rodeo (as it was first known) was born out of a desire by a young
service club to "think big".
The first Rotary Club in Mount Isa had been in operation for some
months and had successfully completed a number of small community
service projects. However, the Community Service Director felt the
club needed to tackle a big project, one which would put Mount Isa
on the map. And so the idea of staging a rodeo was unanimously and
enthusiastically adopted, despite the fact that none of the club
members had ever been involved in organising one before. Only a
couple of members had even seen a rodeo!
With no ground, no stock and no experience, a Rodeo organising
committee was formed and set about the task of staging the first
ever Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo in 1959.
Community Service
Since its inception, the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo has donated
in excess of $2.5 million to charitable, community, cultural,
sporting and service organisations.
As accommodation outlets report a 100 per cent occupancy rate
during the rodeo period, additional temporary camping facilities
are created within the city, simply to cater for the Rodeo
overflow.
The directors of the Rodeo are elected from members of the three
Rotary Clubs in Mount Isa. These directors are responsible for the
deployment of hundreds of volunteer workers who play a vital part
in the planning and staging of the Rodeo.
Community Involvement
In the week leading up to the Rodeo, business houses and
retail outlets get firmly behind the spirit of the event, with
most participating in the annual "Best Dressed Premises"
competition, run by the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce. The object
is to have premises and staff dressed in appropriate theme
decoration and costume for Rodeo Week.
And the enthusiasm doesn't stop there. The Rodeo Mardi Gras,
traditionally held on the Friday night of Rodeo, involves all
sections of the community. Staged through the streets of Mount Isa,
the procession of Mardi Gras floats is one of the highlights of
the weekend.
From 4pm Friday until the wee hours of Saturday morning, Mount Isa
becomes a giant fairground, with wall-to-wall people enjoying
entertainment, dancing, carnival rides and food.
It has long been recognised that the community involvement behind
the Rodeo is what makes it such a unique festival.
The Isa Rodeo Festival is held each year for approximately two
weeks and culminates with the Isa Rodeo. The full program of
events is listed below.
2007 Program of Events
Saturday 4 August
Mayoress' Ball & Crowning of the Rodeo Queen
Monday 6 August
Judging - Best Dressed Mount Isa Premises
Tuesday 7 August
Judging - Best Dressed Mount Isa Premises
Wednesday 8 August
Zonta Poets Breakfast
The Bull Pit - "Man Against Beast"
LIVE - Local Entertainment
Thursday 9 August
Presentation of Best Dressed Mount Isa Premises
Mailman Express
Combined Rotary Clubs Meeting
Friday 10 August
Rodeo & Time Events
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Mardi Gras
The Bull Pit - "Man Against Beast"
Fireworks
Live - Shandell Tosoni & Crakajak
Saturday 11 August
Rodeo Events
Bell & Moir Goodyear Isa Rodeo Ute Muster
Live - Crakajak & The Bostocks
Sunday 12 August
Buffs Recovery Breakfast - Hot & Cold Buffet
Rodeo Events
Cowboys & Cowgirls Night
Live - The Bostocks
Program of Events is subject to change without notice.
For further information about the 2007 Xstrata Mount Isa Mines
Rotary Rodeo please contact the Media Unit at RODEO HQ on 07
47432706.
- GET READY FOR 8-SECONDS OF
FURY
AS TAMWORTH PREPARES
TO RIDE THE RAGE
WITH THE
2004/05 BULLRIDING AUSTRALIA NATIONAL FINALS
Troy Dunn
- On the 15th & 16th of January, Tamworth Showgrounds Indoor
Arena will come alive with Extreme Bull Riding Action as the
nations top 25 bull riders converge on the Country Music Capital
for the ultimate National Finals Professional Bull Riding
Showdown.
This is an event not to be missed as riders weighing slightly more
than your modern day jockey’s go head to head with bulls that can
outweigh an entire rugby forward pack for 8 seconds of true grit -
gut wrenching action.
It’s man versus beast in the ultimate Modern Day Gladiator’s sport
with an All Star Line Up of Superbulls being matched against elite
riders who have endured a year of jubilation and pain in order to
qualify for the 2004/05 Bullriding Australia National Finals.
Come Sunday the 16th of January, one man will be crowned with the
most prestigious Gold Buckle and the Australian Title, yet this
can not be decided until the last bull has bucked, making this
years Finals one of the most exciting ever.
So if your looking for an event with a difference and the ultimate
sporting experience, along with being supported by best post event
party in Tamworth over the Country Music Festival, then be sure to
make your way to the Tamworth Showgrounds for two nights of
bucking good fun.
Event Dates & Start Times:
Saturday, 15th January: 7.00pm start. (Post Event Party,
10pm to 1am)
Sunday, 16th January: 6.00pm start. (Post Event Party & Awards
Ceremony, 9pm to 1am).
Book your tickets now on: 02 6765 9381 or by purchasing at the
gate.
For More information check out
www.bullridingaustralia.com
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