Rodeo Frank set to saddle up for next event after lease extension

“Rodeo Frank” Edwards can continue holding Hedland rodeos after councillors extended his lease over land along the Great Northern Highway, near the airport.

Mr Edwards held his first Drovers Rodeo on the leased land in September in an event widely praised by the community.

But while Mr Edwards spent 15-years battling to organise and raise enough cash to hold his first rodeo, Hedland councillors now expect him to be more industrious.

New Councillor Lincoln Tavo last week proposed amending Mr Edwards’ 21-year lease so it instead consisted of an initial five-year period with extension options each five years.

Cr Tavo also proposed that Mr Edwards demonstrate he was using the leased land productively by holding a rodeo or equestrian event every year.

If Mr Edwards fails to hold an annual event, he may be considered to have forfeited his right to continuing his lease when it comes up for further extensions.

Cr Tavo’s amended resolution was supported by a vote of 4-3 at the last meeting, with Crs David Hooper, Julie Arif and Louise Newbery voting against it.

Cr Tavo said the amended leasing terms aimed to ensure the land was effectively used for the purpose of delivering a rodeo to the community.

He said he was trying to be responsible with Town resources.

However, Cr Newbery voted against the proposal because she feared the added terms could put pressure on Mr Edwards to deliver more events than he was capable of.

Mr Edwards has promised to bring his rodeo back in 2016 after more than 1000 Hedland residents flocked to his first event last September.

Last year, he said apart from delays in getting the food stalls and bar open, his first event and crowd had been fantastic.

“We’ll be back bigger and better next year, ” he said.

“The first one always has teething problems; once you get those ironed out, you know what the crowd wants.

“We had a fantastic crowd, they behaved well and got into the event — I can’t thank them enough for supporting this.”

News of Mr Edwards’ lease extension comes as a rival promotion gets set to stage its Raging Roughtstock Rodeo at the Port Hedland Turf Club grounds on May 21.