This round’s funding worth a total $1.1 million to be shared by 41 regional events was announced by the Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey.

Rodeo manager Natalie Flecker paid tribute to TEQ’s support, saying the funding would help the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo board take the rodeo to major event status.

“We know our event is unmatched anywhere in the southern hemisphere, and the board will use this funding very carefully to build on our event’s well established track record,” she said.

“We want to attract more visitors to Mount Isa and the Queensland Outback, including from interstate and international markets.

“We thank the government and Tourism and Events Queensland for this significant contribution which will help us moving forward promoting our event over the next three years.”

The rodeo’s success in achieving the three-year funding comes on the back of its win at last weekend’s Outback Queensland Tourism Awards, when it took out the festival and events award for the second consecutive year.

The Isa Rodeo will now be one of the nominees in the same category of the 2014 Queensland Tourism Awards to be held in Brisbane on November 28.

Ms Flecker said the rodeo was unique as a non-profit event run by Rotarians, which has contributed more than $3.8 million back to local charities and community groups during its proud history.

Other Outback Queensland events supported under Round 27 of the RDP include:

■Big Red Bash, Birdsville (July 3 to 5) - $45,000.

■Blackall Heartland Festival, Blackall (October 9 to 18) - $20,000.

■Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge & Campdraft, Cloncurry (July 9 to 12) - $20,000.

■Curry Merry Muster Festival, Cloncurry (July 30 to August 2) - $25,000.

■Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, Winton (July 1 to 5) - $25,000.