Star roper was well respected in sport of rodeo
SPORTSVIEW WITH Gerard Walsh
THE rodeo community lost a great supporter last week with the death of Russell Collins.
Russell grew up in Warwick but made his mark in Central Queensland in business, sport and the community.
He was executive chairman of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association when the national finals were moved to Warwick and was a great supporter of the move to hold the showcase of professional rodeo as part of the most famous rodeo in Australia.
During his five years as executive chairman, he came up with many ideas for the betterment of the sport and gained great respect from competitors, sponsors and supporters.
Russell battled ill health for some time but that still didn't stop him competing in rodeo.
He won the over 55s team roping in combination with Adam Purse in August, 2015, at Mt Isa in an extremely tough field.
Star of the future
WILL Pucovski could be one for the little black book.
The Victorian scored four successive centuries in the Australian under-19 cricket championships and in five years time could be batting alongside Steve Smith in the national team.
He has broken the record of Queensland batsman Jerry Cassell for most runs in a national championships. Cassell went on to play 14 first class games and in a Bulls inter-squad game in Warwick.
