I had been to Normanton once before but was fortunate enough to fly up.

This time it was a five hour drive to catch the action in this year’s Normanton Rodeo.

I knew the rodeo was one of the biggest events in town, if not the biggest event of the year in that part of the Gulf but I missed it last year as it clashed with the Cloncurry Show.

This year there was no clash and with a rare weekend in winter where there was little happening in Mount Isa, the stars were aligned for a quick dash to the Gulf.

I say quick but it took well over five hours and while it is bitumen the whole way, the northernmost section is mostly one lane with plenty of daytime active kangaroos around to keep things lively.

I take my hat off to the players and officials of the Normanton Stinger who make that journey every two weeks or so during the footy season.

However there was no footy this weekend and all the action was at the rodeo grounds where the rodeo, campdraft, gymkhana and show were all happening.

They say the population of Normanton doubles for this weekend and that wasn’t hard to believe.

I reckon there was at least two thousand people crammed into the rodeo grounds. 

The weather was surprisingly cool but the action was hot on the arena and everyone enjoyed a great day’s entertainment.

My congratulations to rodeo secretary Shannon Gallagher and the team of volunteers for putting together a fantastic event.

Speaking of congratulations, they must also go to one of Mount Isa’s “champions”.

Deb Mailman may not be a sporting star but she is deservedly on the billboard outside town alongside Greg Norman, Pat Rafter, Scotty Prince and the others as a hometown hero.

On Monday came the news she had been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Ms Mailman is now a member of the Order of Australia and can put the letters AM after her name.

Congratulations to the great actor and to her Mount Isa family. See Thursday’s paper for more on this. Derek Barry