The
National Rodeo Association (NRA) was founded in 1966 and originally known as
South East Queensland Rodeo Riders Association. Their first goal was to create
fair prize money and judging. Rodeo has prospered since those days, being the
sport that has millions of spectators each year.
In
the earlier days cowboys from neighbouring properties used to get together for
bragging rights and a little pocket change and these rodeos were usually only
seen by the cowboys themselves. Nowadays a Rodeo Cowboy is no longer a
station-hand but instead a professional athlete. In fact some are from major
towns and cities. Originally organized to cater for the needs of the cowboy who
was unable to travel full time due to family or work commitments, this regional
circuit enables competitors to work full time jobs during the week and compete
at rodeos on weekends.
The
NRA hosts some 90 rodeos each year with over 600 contestant cowboys and
cowgirls, and is the fastest growing Rodeo Association in Australia. The
structure of the board is of a professional standard and is made up of five
executive board directors, a full time secretary and a full board of nine event
administrators. The NRA has also adopted the "Animal Welfare Advisory
Council Code Of Practice" for all of their rodeos.
The
decision to change the association's name in 1988 was to enable us to grow and
run rodeos further afield. So the name National Rodeo Association was chosen.
We
are now running rodeos from Mingela in North Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New
South Wales and an affiliated association, the West Coast Rodeo Circuit in
Western Australia. Committees affiliating with the National Rodeo Association
are assured of top contestants and the best stock. This combination adds up to
the unparalleled excitement of professional rodeo.
We
are proud to be working with the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise Central
bringing an authentic, country-style Rodeo to the Gold Coast whilst
raising funds to help those less fortunate than us.
The Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise Central
One of the longest established Rotary clubs on the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise Central is committed to helping those most deserving in our local, national and international communities.
The Club is proud to support many local charities and international aid programmes. This support is given by fundraising and by the volunteer-work of club members and their families.
Past major projects include Bush to Beach – a scheme that involves giving one hundred school children from the outback a fun-filled learning experience on the Gold Coast also the annual Charity Auction and Ball – which was run for fifteen years, the last ball in 2006 raising in excess of $100,000.
About the Organisers 
