ACTION-packed entertainment has helped Scone win back-to-back national awards as the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association’s Committee of the Year.
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Scone received the title at the ABCRA National Finals in Tamworth after the top 15 competitors from each rodeo event voted for the winner.
Cowboys and girls travelled from across the state last May to vie for prizemoney of about $2000 per event.
President Jade Smith said the committee based its event on providing non-stop action for a crowd of more than 2500 people.
“We have very good prizemoney, so that helps to get the best competitors,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, we think the people coming through the gates are the really important ones.
“We want them walking out after three or four hours of entertainment saying ‘how good was that’ and ‘when’s the next one on’.
“You see a lot of people leaving rodeos early because it has been drawn out too long, so we have a standard of keeping them interested the entire time.”
Mr Smith said winning consecutive awards was a tribute to the hard work of their small committee.
“We are barely in double figures in terms of volunteers and yet we know that last year’s rodeo was even better than 2013,” he said.
“It shows us that whatever we’re doing must be right for people to keep voting for us.”
The committee has donated about $50,000 back to the community in the past few years to local schools, the Scott Memorial Hospital, Scone Rugby League Club and the disadvantaged.
They are involved exclusively in the charity rodeo, with Upper Hunter Shire Council organising last year’s PBR Bull Ride.
Everyone is invited to attend their meeting next Tuesday, February 10, at the Royal Hotel in Scone from 7pm.