Rodeo a raging success
Station folk mingled with Newman residents and other townies in a celebration of country spirit as the Newman Rodeo kicked off in spectacular fashion at the weekend.
The annual event was presented by the Newman Campdraft and Rodeo Association and a 1500-plus crowd was boosted from 6pm when mining workers streamed through the gates.
Competitors came from as near as the closest town to as far as interstate and overseas to revel in, as the MC termed it, an "extreme adrenaline sport".
A Cowboy's Prayer marked the beginning of the evening's festivities and paid tribute to honesty and competitive spirit.
Aside from bull-riding and bareback and saddle bronc events, the most popular act was undoubtedly half-time rodeo clown Jimmy C.
Jimmy kicked up the dust and gyrated to a variable soundtrack which included In the Mood, Beyonce's Single Ladies, and Gangnam Style - earning him one of the biggest crowd reactions of the night.
The NCDARA committee said itlooked forward to a bigger and better 2015.
"It would be great to see our Pilbara rodeo circuit develop to Port Hedland/Karratha so we encourage these towns to get on board to put more rodeos in WA giving the east coast a run for their money," NCDARA secretary Jacinta Ronchi said.
Winners included All Round Cowboy: Laurence Oversby from Bindoon, All Round Cowgirl: Melissa Maxwell from Darling Downs, All Round Junior Cowboy: Trey Gallagher from Muchea and All Round Junior Cowgirl: Janine Mongoo from Meekatharra.
