Rodeo marks coming of age

By Melissa Grant
THE Cockatoo Rodeo will come of age this Saturday when it holds its 21st annual event.
The rodeo, regarded as one of the best in Victoria, has raised about $600,000 over the past 20 years, with every last cent donated to various organisations including the CFA and local football clubs.
Graeme Mackay, who coordinates the event, began the rodeo back in 1986 when the CFA brigade he belonged to was having trouble raising money for a new fire truck.
“We were having trouble raising funds for a new fire truck to protect our area. Being involved in my young and wild days, I thought a rodeo would benefit us,” Mr Mackay said.
Pulling off a rodeo though was a big job, especially for such a small brigade, so Mr Mackay enlisted the help of six other brigades in the area and the Cockatoo Rodeo was born.
Unfortunately after six years of raising muchneeded funds for their units, the brigades decided not to run the rodeo as part of their fundraising.
But the Cockatoo Rodeo had become such a big annual event in the hills and surrounds that Mr Mackay couldn’t entertain the thought of the rodeo coming to an end.
“People then and now still look forward to the next rodeo. It’s a place to catch up with old friends and mates we haven’t seen all year, have a beer and a yarn and be entertained by the rodeo,” he said.
Although the rodeo has generated so much profit over the years, including a $40,000 windfall last year, Mr Mackay has not pocketed a cent.
“The question most people ask me is, ‘Graeme, what money do you make out of your rodeo?’ My family has never made any money from the rodeo, never have and never will. We get great joy out of seeing the rodeo being a great success on the night, and watching the joy it brings to the public,” he said.
Mr Mackay is keen to see as many people enjoy the night as possible, so much so that for the third year in a row a free bus service will run to and from the rodeo, with stopoff points at Emerald Fire Station, Avonsleigh Store, Belgrave Gembrook Road and Main Street, Cockatoo. Emerald Taxi service will also run a shuttle to and from the grounds.
This year’s rodeo will feature a country music band as well as some special entertainment.
“This is the rodeo’s coming of age. I will be saving most of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary, however, I will say that this rodeo will feature some entertainment that the rodeo hasn’t seen for a few years,” Mr Mackay said.
Gates open at 3pm, with the night officially kicking off at 6pm at the corner of Avon and Mordialloc roads, Cockatoo. Tickets cost $40 per family, $20 for adults and $10 for children, students, pensioners and concession.