An Easter rodeo is Queensland’s far southwest has proved a much-needed morale-boost after the region was hit by record breaking rain and flooding almost one-month ago. Graziers in the region are still coming to terms with the aftermath and for some it’s been the first opportunity to talk about it.
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00:00It's a highly anticipated event in the Outback calendar.
00:10But this year's rodeo in the tiny town of Eremanga has taken on new meaning.
00:15Today was more about our community than our event.
00:20Eremanga is one of many communities picking up the pieces after flood waters devastated the state's west.
00:27While the town itself remained mostly unscathed, nearby properties were not so lucky.
00:32Everyone had a run of several good years up here, and everyone's carrying large numbers of stock.
00:38And they said, oh, finally on top, and it's gone.
00:41We lost 90% of our stud down the Wilson River, and that's tough.
00:47You just have to decide, don't you, whether you're going to rebuild and start again,
00:51or whether you're going to walk away. And my husband and I don't walk away easily.
00:55Despite graziers still counting the losses, organisers pulled together to make the rodeo happen.
01:00It was a bit of a rush, but we got it together in the end.
01:04Everyone is in the same boat, although the scale might be different for some.
01:08Everyone went through it.
01:09I think a lot of people still are in shock.
01:11I think a lot of people probably still haven't come to the real truth of it.
01:16Because most people still haven't mustered their sheep and cattle.
01:20Last month, these rodeo grounds were flooded. Now the water has receded.
01:24Locals can come together, share a laugh, and support one another.
01:28And that's people in the bush in general, mate. We'll just make it work.
01:31The competition in the arena this weekend coming second to social connection.
01:36A resilient community staying optimistic.
01:42We're back, baby!
01:44I think the future out here is quite strong.
01:46Hopefully, you know, we'll see good prices out the other end for the livestock producers
01:51and hopefully a good tourist season for the towns.