Stalwart revives rodeo | Warwick News | Local News in Warwick

KILLARNEY without a rodeo is like Gympie without a Muster.

Faced with the prospect of no show, rodeo or campdraft, Bernie Brosnan has helped save the Killarney Show and Rodeo Society committee from extinction.

With the current committee all resigning and though he was close to it himself, Mr Brosnan could not bear the thought of losing an historical part of the town so put up his hand for president.

“Bernie has grown up in Killarney and his family has always been involved in the show society,” wife Jo said yesterday.

“His father who is 85 years old was a former vice president, his mother was treasurer; he didn't want to see it die.”

Two new faces have joined the committee, with Louise Brosnan stepping in as secretary and Trudy Grant as vice president and treasurer.

But with Mr Brosnan's commitments swiftly piling up, the need for a permanent president is vital to the future of the Killarney Show and Rodeo Society.

“There must be people in the Killarney area who are retired but have previously run a business or understand how to run a business (who would be ideal for the president's position),” Mrs Brosnan said.

“Some may be new to the area and don't know they're needed.

“They probably assume these positions are always taken and that isn't the case at all.”

But Mrs Brosnan does not think the problem is particular to Killarney.

“Even the Ekka is facing a similar situation - the role of agricultural shows in rural communities though is a tougher situation,” she said.

“Whether it's a time thing or whether it's the drought I don't know; but the number of people coming to shows and rodeos is getting smaller.”

The new committee is already planning changes for next year's events - the New Year's Eve Rodeo and the Killarney Show in February.

“The first job will be reviewing all events; we lost a considerable amount of money at the last rodeo,” Mrs Brosnan said.

“This year the introduction of the team penning event was popular and we saw a lot more families involved.

“So next year the focus should be on families - it's important to take note of what support you get and cater to that.”

Southern Downs Regional Councillor Ross Bartley, who chaired the Killarney Show Society annual general meeting on Tuesday night, was looking forward to the changes the new committee would implement.

“The new committee have to be more strategic in the way they operate and more aware given the current economic climate how we choose the events we run,” Cr Bartley said.

“But they're a vibrant bunch and I have every faith they will do a good job.”

Growing up in the Swan Creek area, Cr Bartley said he had been to a few Killarney shows and rodeos in his time and even helped run a few, not wanting to contemplate the possibility of the Scenic Gem of the Downs without them.

“Smaller communities look forward to these events; if you have to run it as a smaller event to keep it going in the long term then that's what you've got to do,” he said.

To join the committee or to put up your hand as the new president, call Bernie Brosnan on 0419 866 268.