The Mungindi community will saddle up next weekend when the rodeo returns to the 2019 Mungindi Show.
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It's the first time in a number of years that the show will include a rodeo, and is a result of funding secured by local rodeo enthusiast Darren McMahon with the help of Miyay Birray Youth Service.
"Darren works with kids interested in doing rodeo and stock work and for the last year and a half we've been trying to organise something to work with kids and get them interested," Miyay Birray CEO Darrel Smith said.
"In the last few months, the Public Health Network put out funding to run a program for rural mental health. We thought that was something we could use a rodeo to target."
READ MORE: Mungindi Show to go on despite dry times
Centacare, which has access to psychologists and counsellors, came on board as a partner and the idea was backed by the Public Health Network, which provided funding to put on two rodeos - one in Mungindi and a second in Moree - this month, with a focus on rural mental health.
"We'll have Centacare staff out there for people to talk to and messages will be played throughout the rodeo, promoting not to be ashamed to talk to someone," Mr Smith said.
"It's just to try and get people who don't have access to mental health services to pick up a pamphlet," Mr McMahon added.
The Mungindi Mental Health Rodeo is all set to be held on Sunday, August 11, as the second day of the 2019 Mungindi Show (Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11).
"This year they'd lost a lot of their usual entertainment due to the drought, so the Mungindi Show Society said they'd love it to be part of the show as a second day," Mr Smith said.
"It keeps it going out there, and will encourage people to stay the night to go to the rodeo on Sunday, so they'll be spending money in town."
Gill Bros Rodeo won the tender to run both rodeos, which will feature everything from bull and bronc events to junior barrel races and the popular local steer ride.
Mr McMahon said there'll be a particular focus on the junior and local events.
"Gill Bros have been more than helpful," he said.
"A lot of other rodeo providers don't have access to stock due to the drought, but Gill Bros have their own, although they're also struggling with the drought."'
Moree's Rebekah McMahon, the 2018 Rodeo Queen of Australia, will do the grand entrance carrying the Australian flag while the National Anthem is played and some of the top cowboys around are expected to take part.
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"It'll be a really good family day for people to go and have a look," Mr Smith said.
The rodeo action will kick off at 11am at the Mungindi Showground on Sunday, August 11. Entry is free.
Entries are still being taken for the events, so any interested cowboys and cowgirls are encouraged to contact ABCRA on 6767 9222 to enter. The local and junior events can be entered on the day.
The Moree Rodeo will be held two weeks later on Sunday, August 25. The organisers are still looking for sponsors for some of the Moree events, so if your business is interested in sponsoring an event, contact Miyay Birray on 6752 6038.
