Broome Rodeo

For me the Broome Rodeo wasn’t about the horses and the bulls - earlier in the day I’d even said to Steve that I didn’t mind if I didn’t even see any animals.

As a portrait photographer it was always going to be about the people. What the rodeo was also about was vibrant shirts and fancy belt buckles and, more importantly, family and community. Families had travelled into Broome especially from remote stations and communities for miles around - they set up their chairs and rugs, and settled in for the evening. Observers and participants alike were so engaged in all that was going on. The older cowboys were encouraging the young tackers who were giving it a go, perhaps for the first time…showing them how to tie knots, lifting them over high railings, applauding and high-fiving as they walked back out of the arena after their ride, ensuring the next generation of cowboys was well trained and keen.