The Whitsunday community came out in force with over 2,000 people attending Saturday’s Bullarama to raise money for the family of Proserpine’s own cowboy Sam Faust.
At the time of going to press organisers were still tallying the figures but Manager of the Reef Gateway Hotel Craig Bradley said an estimated $45,000 was raised.
“It’s been well supported by the community and shows how much spirit is there,” he said.
Mr Bradley and the other organisers said they wanted to thank the community for getting behind the event.
“It was a big effort,” he said.
Sam’s wife Kya addressed the crowd personally at the end of the action-packed night, consisting of bull riders, calf scruffing, whip cracking and the auctioning of NRL memorabilia to raise extra funds.
“Sam would be very proud,” she said.
League legends Shane Webcke and Kevin Campion took centre stage for much of Saturday's action in the arena.
The pair are probably best known for their explosive scrum in an NRL game at Auckland’s Mt Smart stadium on August 18, 2002. Former Bronco Kevin Campion was playing for the Warriors, who upstaged the Broncos 18-4.
Ex-television commentator Jason Costigan who called that particular game said once on opposing teams, “their mateship went out the window”.
“It’s been a talking point for years and one that’s now part of trans-Tasman Rugby League folklore. Webcke needed medical assistance after that flare-up,” Mr Costigan said.
36-year-old Shane Webcke from the Darling Downs, remembered the incident well.
“Campo’s been dining out on that for 100 years,” he said.
Webcke and Campo were once again the best of mates on Saturday night reigniting their work as former Broncos and Qld State of Origin teammates in a calf scruffing competition for the crowds.
Webcke actually wanted to ride a bull, “Only because it’s for a good cause, otherwise I wouldn’t contemplate it, because I’ve been there before,” he said.
Bullarama organiser Craig Bradley said Webcke and Campion were “wonderful” in entertaining the crowds.
“They went above and beyond what we expected,” he said.
President of the Proserpine Rodeo Committee Larry Ferraris described the event as a “big success”.
In all there were nine open riders, 13 novice and three junior bulls. Two of the riders were locals from Midge Point.
In life after State of Origin and NRL, Kevin Campion now works in Real Estate and property development on the Tweed Coast and Shane Webcke has carved out a successful post-footy career with Channel 7 and will no doubt be reporting from Suncorp stadium in the Origin decider tonight.
The eldest daughter of a worldclass body sculptor is putting her face into the male-dominated field of rugby league.
