Official Opening of the 2016 Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo

Thank you, Randall. It is a great honour for Kaye and me to join our distinguished guests, including our Mayor, Councillor McCulloch and Minister Jones, and our multitude of enthusiastic rodeo-goers, as we gather on the lands traditionally tended by the Kalkadoon peoples, for whom I at once express great respect.

Though I have visited Mount Isa many times over the years, this is Kaye’s and my first visit since my being sworn in as your Governor two years ago.

We are very pleased to be here at the Rodeo, an event which pits man and woman against beast, but an event which also brings together people from all over our vast Outback, and indeed many tourists.

The opportunity for social interaction really adds to the overall Rodeo experience, and I suspect being able to let off a bit of steam over the next three days is particularly important during these testing drought times.

The people of North West Queensland, all Queenslanders, should be very proud of their grand annual event – the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Mount Isa Rodeo would not be possible without the marvellous vision and hard work of the organising committee, many of them volunteers, and staff; without the tenacity and fortitude of our competitors; or without the generosity of our financial supporters – including from governmental spheres.

And then there are all of you, the wonderful people of our vast Outback and North West; you are uplifting and resilient people, invariably big-hearted and community-minded – fine Queenslanders!

It is Kaye’s and my great honour to support you all, as you excellently exemplify the great and enduring Queensland spirit, this spirit of ours uniquely imprinted with both our city and our rural identities, the latter of which we magnificently celebrate over these three days.

Thank you all: it is a real privilege to be with you, as I declare the 2016 Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, “officially open”.