The idea of holding a 2022 Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships was born just 12 weeks before the event, with the initial idea of just giving some kids some work “behind the scenes”.

Mona Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Patrick Cooke said it became something much bigger. 

“So we took a group of kids behind the scenes in the lead-up and worked with them, and from that sort of built on the idea of running an Indigenous Rodeo Championship,” Mr Cooke said. 

“So from that general discussion within a short period of time, we had to have everything up and running and working to run the event this year. 

“With less than 12 weeks lead-in we were very successful with 85 riders. 

“I think there was between 2,000 to 4,000 people attending so for a one-off, with a limited time to get the word out there, I think it’s a success.” 

Competitors and punters agreed. 

Winner of the Open Superhero Broncs and the Indigenous Rodeo Bareback, with a second in the Saddle Bronc, Jason Craigie from the Northern Territory said he hoped the Indigenous Rodeo would be ongoing…