The rodeo is coming to town next month: a thrilling spectacle of bareback riding, broncos, and bulls. And entry to the showgrounds on Saturday, December 7 is free for all, thanks to a state government effort to help farmers cope with the stresses of drought.
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The Rural Resilience program, run by the NSW Department of Industries, has provided $7000 to the Glen Innes Show Society to cover the ticket price for their Country Wide Property Raindance Rodeo.
The rodeo, Society president Andrew Hancock said, will get people off the farm for a night.
"They can forget about the drought for a little bit, and try to enjoy themselves. That's the hard part, isn't it? With this drought, people get locked up in their own world, and forget everyone else is doing it just as tough. When they talk to others, they get a bit of resilience."
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When planning the rodeo, the Society wanted to make the event free - but realised they had to cover costs, and introduce an entry fee.
The Society spotted a piece in The Land about the Rural Resilience Program, Mr Hancock said.
The program helps community organisations run events for the mental wellbeing of primary producers - including coping with drought.
Dealing with the government officers was easy, Mr Hancock said.
"And then these guys came through with some funding, which was really great!" the Society's Renata Davis added. "This means we can open up the gates, and have no entry fee!"
The Gill Brothers' Rodeo was a hit when it came to Glen Innes in 2017.
"It's great to watch, and it supports the farmers," Mr Hancock said. "Come and have a night out, enjoy yourself, make it a good atmosphere, and have a beer and a chat with your local farmers. Maybe you might help in some way that you don't realize. Oftentimes just talking to people makes a big difference."
The rodeo is part of the Show Society's Glen Innes Campdraft, which runs from 6am on Saturday to Sunday evening. A junior steer event will be held on the Saturday afternoon for local kids.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/GlenInnesDraft/.