06/01/2026
2025 Gilmac MOGUMBER NEW YEAR'S RODEO
It was unforgettable night of top-class rodeo competition and community spirit. The Mogumber Outback Club thank all who attended and supported the event and we look forward to delivering an even bigger show on the 31st Dec 2026.
🔶WRAP UP🔶
It was a record crowd of 4000, the biggest and best event for the Mogumber Outback Club Inc. It’s the Club’s annual fundraising event which helps improve services and facilities in our rural town of Mogumber.
The weather was kinder this year and thousands of campers rolled into town from 12noon to set up their overnight camp. The rodeo and campground are held on farmland kindly provided by the Nixon Family. The Mogumber Outback Club freight in more than 6 road trains of equipment for the event, transported by locals and our silver level sponsor SMITHS TRANSPORT. It is quite phenomenal to see an empty paddock transform into a massive venue and then pack down again in under two weeks total.
It was a sea of four-wheel drives and roof top tents in Mogumber. Even the little 2-wheel drives and the big heavy caravans could access the campground thanks to the new access road built just 3 days before the event, entirely via volunteer labour, equipment and materials. Special thanks to the Forrester, Smith, Van Beek, Brownlie, Cocking and Anspach Families for whipping up what is now affectionally known as the Forrester Highway.
The crew of volunteer gate attendants welcomed guests over several hours, each car was parked orderly and provided with a rubbish bag and container for change bag. Their recycling effort was well worth it with a full skip bin of cans gathered from the campground via the bags provided. Thanks to Ajax Contractors for providing the skip bins.
Upon entering the rodeo venue, guests browsed the selection of market stalls and Food vendors while listening to the afternoon acoustic session from Taylor Cutts Music. Volunteers were serving ice cold drinks from the SWAN DRAUGHT sponsored bar.
The junior events once again set the tone. In the Junior Steer Ride (11–U14), proudly sponsored by Rumbold Ford, Robbson Lundy claimed the win with a solid score of 59, just ahead of Kade Eames on 57. The Juvenile Steer Ride (14–U18), sponsored by Green Wind Renewables, saw Bryce McLean dominate with an impressive score of 65, while a tight contest unfolded behind him with three riders tying for second on 60 points.
Over in the Junior Barrel Races, young riders impressed with speed and precision. Lacey Mateljan took out the 11–U14 Junior Barrel in a time of 18.871 seconds, while Ariana Rhodes topped the 8-U11 Barrel Race with a smooth 19.347 run, narrowly ahead of Cobb Oversby.
In the Juvenile Barrel Race (14–U18), supported by Barnes Hydraulic Services, Ava de Villiers edged out Bindoon Local Lucy Oversby by the narrowest of margins, clocking 18.198 seconds to Lucy’s 18.213. But Lucy was triumphant in the AFGRI Equipment AustraliaI Junior Breakaway Roping taking out the win on horse Sunny.
The Western Hay Novice Barrel Race had tight competition. Yarnie King took out the win on horse Presley, in a time of 18.4. The win was a special birthday present for Yarnie.
The Grand Opening Team entered the Mogumber Arena just before 7pm, creating excitement as the top cowboys and cowgirls were about to perform in the open events.
Before the competition began, the arena fell quiet as the entire crowd—competitors, family and friends alike—came together for a minute silence in memory of Flynn McCullough. Flynn was a talented and much-loved 22-year-old bull rider whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident on the Bindoon–Moora Road just days before Christmas. The last bull that Flynn rode was let out into the arena as the cowboy’s prayer was recited. The local first responders from the accident, who were back on duty at the rodeo, stood alongside the Mogumber Outback Club and the Rodeo Community to honour Flynn’s memory and to send their collective thoughts, strength and support to fellow protection athlete Clint Van Den Broeke, who was seriously injured in the same accident. It was a powerful reminder of the close-knit nature of the rodeo community and the way it stands together.
The open competition got underway and the high standard of competition was on full show. The Ba****ck event was sponsored by VERNICE and Andrew Brown was the only competitor to achieve a winning score of 62. Kamarah Speckles sponsored the Saddle Bronc and Jack Collins, who recently returned from competing in Canada, thrilled the crowd with a standout 71-point ride.
The Open Breakaway Roping, supported by Northern Valleys News, was won by local Amanda Oversby in 3.67 seconds. This produced a mother-daughter win for the Oversby Family, with daughter Lucy winning the previously mentioned Juvenile Breakaway.
Rachel Oakes delivered a blistering performance to win the Ladies Steer Undecorating, proudly sponsored by Barnes Hydraulic Services stopping the clock at 2.61 seconds, with Xanthe Langridge Pedersen close behind on 2.8. In the Ladies Barrel Race, sponsored by Western Hay, Shelby Bowtell was back in winning form as a first-time mum, with a time of 17.185.
The increasing popularity of bull riding has led to capped numbers in the Novice Bull Ride. Koby Turnbull claimed the Borrello Beef Novice Bull Ride with 60 points, ahead of second placed Reko Yeeda on 58 points.
Trey Gallacher riding horse Texas impressed in the Rope & Tie, sponsored by ANSPACH AG. The Steer Wrestling, supported by AQUAPAX, went to Dylan Ruff with a winning time of 4.72, ahead of Regan Langridge. In the Moora Toyota Team Roping, the team of Ian Lehmann and Daniel Begg won in a time of 8.66 seconds.
The Mogumber Arena continued to shine under lights thanks to sponsor JD's Electrical Services wa Ec12579 powered by sponsored diesel from Fuel Distributors of Western Australia. The arena surface was carefully prepared with help from the sponsored machines, including AFGRI’s John Deere Tractor and the barrel bike and rake from MYS_TRO PARK FARM. The Bull Chutes really took centre stage, sponsored by HALLIGAN RURAL SUPPLIES, CARAVEL MINERALS, FarmCo and MODULAR WA . The Team at Bullsbrook Water Carriers had their water truck on hand, providing drinking water to the campers and an added supply of water to the Mogumber-Gillingarra Bush Fire Brigade. Special thanks to our emergency services including the WA Police and St John Ambulance Teams who were on hand to serve a very well behaved crowd.
The Open Bull Ride sponsored by The Nationals WA Team of the Hon Julie Freeman MLC and Hon Rob Horstman MLC was the last event of the night, but the cowboys couldn’t secure an 8 second ride this time. The trophy buckle will instead go on display at The Mogumber Hub, which is the community owed tavern owned and operated by the Mogumber Outback Club. It’s an example of the services provided and the facilities which are improved by the volunteer efforts and the fundraising outcome of the Mogumber New Years Eve Rodeo.
Big thanks to our stock Contractors - Colins Livestock, Flying H and Saltwater Beef. and all the Officials and Arena workers who put so much care into the event and ensure the smooth running of the rodeo both in and out of the arena.
The countdown to the New Year was then on, as guests enjoyed the lived band Honky-Tonk Heroes. The popularity of boot scotting was on display and the crowd was signing along to the popular country songs.
Merchandise sales were hot, with some items selling out by 3pm. Thanks to TD Custom Designs, Topp Dogg Moora and Concept Signs for their merch support and signs. Support was also received from Copper and Program level sponsors Freo Tiling, James Squire Ginger Beer, Boekemans, James Squire Lemon Squash, Summit Fertilizers, Horseland Midlandand Gibson Country Jerky. We also thank ANSPACH AG for sponsoring the iNSTRUCKTA TRANSAFE WA, which educates current and future road users how to share the road safely with trucks and heavy vehicles. The team at Total Toilets made a big contribution to the event. Ensuring the number of toilets suits the size of the event and are constantly serviced, is still one of the biggest yet best financial decisions the MOC Committee has made to ensure a quality experience of attendees.
Over 100 volunteers contribute on the day, including 40 external volunteers who help in return for a ticket to the event. To our amazement, there were several new volunteers who stayed for over a week to help and get to know our community. Some lifelong friends have been made and the Mogumber Outback Club is so thankful for their help, especially as the community was also coming out the other side of an intense 7000ha bushfire which threatened our town days before the event. We even had rogue mechanical services on hand to fix the little breakdowns during set up, keeping things on track. Packing down the event is still the hardest part, especially as the temperature began to rise into the 40’s. The 2026 volunteer campaign will focus on gathering extra helpers during this time.
Even with sore bodies and tired eyes, the Mogumber Community looks back on what they achieve and there is no doubt they are very proud.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Mogumber Outback Club Inc
Pauline Bantock
Volunteer Event Co-Ordinator
