EG Weekend edition 17

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March 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend Hold on tight, it’s rodeo time Easter in East Gippsland means one thing - rodeo time! The Omeo Rodeo kicks off a busy weekend on Easter

Saturday while Buchan comes alive on Sunday. The unique event at Buchan, nestled in the bush just to the side of the main road to Buchan, attracts thousands of onlookers and a large cohort of cowboys and cowgirls on a mission to fit as many rodeos into one weekend as possible. Buchan Rodeo president, Kevin Woodgate, who began riding saddlebronc horses at age 15 and had his first steer ride that same year at the Cann River rodeo, knows well the competitor's rush to get to each rodeo on time. "Buchan is in the middle of a string of rodeos, with the Great Western rodeo at Ararat on Good Friday, Omeo on Easter Saturday and Lang Lang on the Monday, with the competitors chasing rides at all of them," he said. "Some even fly from Lakes Entrance to get to the Finley rodeo in New South Wales on the Monday." Kev has been president for about 10 years and helping on the committee for around 35. "Our rodeo has evolved a lot since the old days, the quality of stock is a lot better," he said. "Our stock contractor is Ron Woodall and his family, cowboy Terry Evison brings the timed-event stock and local Warren McCole brings the steers for the juniors." The rodeo is affiliated with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) with events including the bull rides, saddlebronc and bareback horses bucking plus the junior events like the breakaway roping. This year marks the fourth rodeo using the new bucking chutes and the committee members hope to have new chutes for the timed events in place this year. Buchan rodeo also has a big screen to show replays to the crowd, and the committee prides itself on being family oriented, with under 12s through the gate for free. All tickets are sold online with none available at the gate. Kev said they were grateful to Brad Cross for the lend of his paddock for parking. "Last year it was that wet you would've bogged a duck in it," Kev said. "But this season is a lot more dry so we're back to using it."