CAMOOWEAL came alive at the weekend as hundreds of competitors, spectators and doe-eyed cattle rolled up at the Camooweal Jockey Club ground for one of the North West's favourite Outback events.
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As the famous Barkly breeze blew through camp and the crack of the stockman's whip echoed across the arena, proud Camooweal Campdraft and Rodeo president John Imeson paid tribute to the dedicated volunteers who kept the annual event alive.
``There's a lot of work behind the scenes, a lot of hours, and nothing would happen without the committee behind me and the support of people donating their time to help this weekend,'' he said.
``I just can't thank them enough. Without those people things like this would not run.''
With more than 900 nominations for campdraft events across the three days, a fair few hands were needed to shift cattle, unload trucks, set up gates and run the events.
Kept busy by the constant flow of jobs to be done, Mr Imeson said he didn't see the inside of the arena much anymore.
He had a go during Saturday's campdraft event and joked he wanted to introduce a prize for anyone who managed to get three whip cracks _ the sound to signify the end of a riders unsuccessful run _ in a row.
``That will be for me,'' he laughed.
``It's the only time I'll win something.''
Mr Imeson said other bush drafts couldn't attract the likes of campdraft champions Ben and Jaye Hall and Cloncurry bull rider Jason Mara to entertain the crowd.
``There are not many events where you can see some of the best bull riders and it's free to watch. Everywhere else you have to pay,'' he said.
Acton Land and Cattle Company and Western Grazing donated the cattle for the event and Bruce Winks Transport and AACo (Avon Downs) road trains helped cart the stock.
Mr Imeson said there would be no event without these donations which often came at a big cost to private operators.