COUNTRY rodeos are important community-building events – bringing people together and boosting the profile of towns and raising much-needed funds.
Over the decades, many rodeo events have folded across the State because of dwindling rural populations, soaring costs and compliance measures.
But South Australia's Mid and Upper North still boast a handful of successful rodeo events, which are integral to the community.
Carrieton is a tiny town but stages one of the most famous rodeos in the region.
While Marrabel Rodeo is the oldest – the first was 75 years ago – Carrieton is the longest-running consecutive rodeo, and last December celebrated its 60-year milestone.
The rodeo is largely responsible for building Carrieton township.
The first event was instigated by the late Vince Rowe, who was awarded a posthumous life membership of Carrieton Rodeo Club during the 60th celebrations.
The first rodeo aimed to raise funds for a new Town Hall in 1953, and rodeos have been providing valuable funding ever since.
From sports and school facilities to accommodation and community store, the rodeo has helped build Carrieton and support projects in the district.
Carrieton Rodeo Club secretary Glyn Shackleford said the 60th rodeo was an "important milestone for our small community".
"And it was particularly special for us to be able to pay homage to all the hardworking volunteers who have kept this show running over the years," he said.
The celebrations involved bringing back two of the most famous riders in the event's history – Buddy Gravner and Dick White.
Both riders took part in the first Carrieton Rodeo and in later years both rode legendary bucking Carrieton bronc Cloudbuster and feature in some of the most iconic images in rodeo, made famous by RM Williams promotional materials.
Full report in Stock Journal, February 28 issue, 2013.
