Newsroom

August 8, 2025

“Like a phoenix from the ashes, Mount Isa’s rodeo is back, and has found its community spirit again,” the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger said on the opening day of the 2025 Mount Isa Rodeo.

“It wasn’t quite ten months ago that I got the phone call I had been dreading, saying the Rodeo was in trouble, and to see the community effort and spirit to get us back up and going, and people from all over Australia and the world streaming into town again is nothing short of inspirational,” he said.

In October 2024 the Mount Isa Rodeo was placed into administration, with a dark cloud over its future viability.

“It was such a blow to the community when the administrators rolled in,” Mr Katter said.

“With the news around the mine closure, and then rodeo being handed over to money hungry administrators, keen to grab cash and government handouts for out-of-town creditors, it was a tough time.

“But as a community we’ve pulled together.  We’ve got Thommo (Mark Thompson) leading a crack team of dedicated community-minded committee members, and you can just feel the atmosphere in town is back.

“There may not be the gold-plated, international rock-star event out the back, but we reckon Luke Geiger is as good as anyone, and there aren’t any flashy exclusive dining marques, but we just love having a beer on the rail having a yarn to everyone we bump into.

“The main event – the rodeo itself – is shaping up to be as world-class than ever, and that’s what we’re here for.  The skill and courage of the competitors, the dedication of the attendants and volunteers – that’s what rodeo is all about.

“Well done Mount Isa City Council. Well done Thommo and your crew.  Well done Mount Isa.  Catch you at the Rodeo,” the Member for Traeger said.