Occasionally like on the weekend just gone, I get a real reminder of just how big the territory is that the North West Star serves.
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We have a team of three in the North West Star newsroom and we take it in turns to work each weekend.
It so happens that this weekend was my turn on the roster so it was my job to catch the action – which for most part was happening far from Mount Isa.
The last Saturday of July has become synonymous with the Quamby Rodeo, 40km north of Cloncurry and having attended for the first time last year I was keen to sample its atmosphere again this year.
I was also aware that our photos from Quamby last year were one of the most popular galleries of the year so it was important to deliver again this year.
It was hard to tell with the crowd stretched far and wide but I reckon there were at least 3000 people crammed into the picturesque rodeo grounds 40km north of Cloncurry.
I remember last year those pious interfering hypocrites at PETA raised a stink over some of Quamby’s events despite not actually attending in person – proving they were playing to their urban audiences and didn’t care less about how the locals felt or what animal welfare measures were in place.
Thankfully they were quiet this year and the Quamby rodeo went ahead to the great delight of those present.
Unfortunately I could not hang around for the evening as I had to drive another 350km to Normanton which was hosting the Mount Isa Rugby League grand final this year. It was a massive event for the town and pretty much everyone in Normanton was at the game.
Their Isa opponents Townies brought up a bus load of players, officials and fans and there was a great atmosphere in the ground.
Credit to the ladies from Normanton and Mornington Island who served up a great entree before the main match.
Normanton won the ladies match but were second best to Townies in the grand final who romped home 60-0.
A bad result for the locals but a great night for the Gulf and a pleasure to be there – Derek Barry