On a fine April morning, before the weather turned cool the Novice Horse Barrel Race competitors assembled to complete their event prior to the commencement of the 2023 Blackwater Rodeo.
For many years the May Day long weekend has been an important event on the annual calendar for Blackwater in Central Queensland. In a community surrounded by coal mining there are many companies and union lodges that proudly support community events. Blackwater Rodeo Association has operated from its current location since 1997, with the Construction Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) coming on board as the major naming rights sponsor approximately twenty years ago.
Over the years there have been several improvements to the grounds, thanks to the tireless efforts of many Committee Members during that time. The Association affiliated with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association in 2019, and thus the prizemoney on offer is eligible to count towards competitors’ yearly earnings which determines National Finals qualification.
Blackwater Rodeo honours past champions and supporters with memorial events, and this year added a fourth to the programme. One of the former members who had
