Born and raised Mount Isan Natalie Flecker has taken over the reins of the 2014 Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo.
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The 33-year-old, whose parents Bill and Lyn Gardner live in Mount Isa, has returned to the city from Townsville after more than a decade away.
''I did primary school and secondary school here and then I moved to Townsville where I studied at James Cook University and worked in the commercial sector and had my own business in Townsville before moving back here,'' Ms Flecker said.
She has a business degree and worked in high-level commercial banking for eight years.
In 2008 she became the owner of Yongola Lodge in Townsville and most recently she was the business events executive for the Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau.
Ms Flecker moved back to Mount Isa with her two daughters, Emerson, 5, and Scarlett, 3.
''We're really enjoying Mount Isa,'' she said.
''It's been a very positive move for us.''
Ms Flecker said her daughters were enjoying dancing lessons and being close to nanna and pop.
She has been kept busy in her first month in the job as manager for the rodeo.
''This year's rodeo is shaping up to be another great event,'' Ms Flecker said.
''We're looking at increasing our numbers to the Swag City, we're hoping to offer some more reserve seating and we're working on some great entertainment.''
Ms Flecker said about 25,000 people usually attended the event across the three days and organisers were working with tourism operators to try and extend visitors' length of stay.
She said the prize pool for the biggest rodeo in the southern hemisphere was expected to again be $200,000.
''We have some very generous sponsors. We have our naming rights sponsor, Mount Isa Mines, and we also have gold, silver and zinc level sponsors who are longstanding sponsors who have been associated with the event for a long time,'' Ms Flecker said.
She said there were also more than 670 volunteers, including a large contingent of Rotarians, who helped make the event a success on the weekend.
Ms Flecker last attended the rodeo when it was first held at Buchanan Park back in 2007.
''I love the excitement that it brings to town,'' Ms Flecker said.
''I love the community spirit and that it's something Mount Isa can embrace as it's own and I love that from humble beginnings it has been able to grow into the award-winning event that it is today.''
The 2014 Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo will be held in August.
