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Mount Isa Rodeo - 2026 Partner Acquittal Report

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2026

PARTNER ACQUITTAL R E P O R T


MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO

A SUCCESS MADE POSSIBLE BY YOU FROM 7-9 AUGUST, BUCHANAN PARK ONCE AGAIN CAME ALIVE FOR THE MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO CELEBRATING OUR REGION, OUR PEOPLE AND THE SPORT WE’RE SO PROUD TO CALL OUR OWN. But a rodeo of this scale doesn’t happen alone. It happens because of the investment and commitment of our sponsors, partners and stakeholders which helps to deliver a worldclass event while creating opportunities for competitors and volunteers, supporting local businesses and community organisations, and bringing thousands of visitors to our region. This success is shared with you. Every competitor who crossed the arena, every volunteer who gave their time, every local business that benefited and every visitor who experienced the Rodeo is part of a bigger story — one we are building together. We are incredibly proud of what was achieved in 2026, and even prouder of the community behind it. Thank you for believing in the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, investing in its future and helping us keep the heart of the outback beating strong. Thank you for standing behind the Rodeo, our community and Mount Isa. With immense gratitude, The Mount Isa Pro Rodeo Board Mark Thompson (Chair), Marcus Curr (Vice Chair), Mick Tully, John Tully, Jonathan Eden, Kylie Rixon, Chris Kuhne, Hannah Hacon, Peter Gogsch & Morne Sher.

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MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO – 2026


ACHIEVEMENTS & OUTCOMES ATTENDANCE Overall event attendance for 2026 was 24,874, comprised daily of: Attendees

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Ticket Holders

4173

8128

3,138

Competitors & Family (483 Competitors)

1449

1449

966

Indigenous Rodeo Competitors

261

Campers

160

160

160

Arena Officials

55

55

55

Rodeo Staff & Family

21

21

21

Volunteers

350

330

330

Contractors

63

63

63

Vendors & Sideshow Alley

515

515

515

Sponsors & VIP Ministers

521

521

521

Media

54

46

51

Emergency Services Personnel & Security

48

48

48

Total per day

7409

11336

6129

In comparison to 2025 whereby a total of 17,995 attendees over three days.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT COMMUNITY GROUP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Over 330 volunteers per day worked alongside 13+ community groups, helping run Isa Rodeo from ticket gates to bar service - allowing us to reinvest over $54,082 back into local organisations. We deeply appreciate all who gave their time to make the rodeo possible.

INVOLVED COMMUNITY GROUPS: 1.

2.

3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

8. 9.

10.

Mount Isa School Chaplaincy Rotary Club of Mount Isa EFKS Mount Isa Concordia Football Club Happy Valley Kindergarten

Parkside United Junior Football Club Isa Warriors Mount Isa Hockey Association BUACA (Bikers United Against Child Abuse) Gulf River Land Care

11.

Mad Midwives – North West Hospital & Health Service

12.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

13.

Zonta Group of Mount Isa

SUPPORTING LOCAL ENTERPRISE

In 2025, the Mount Isa Rodeo provided complimentary trade sites to over 15 local vendors. In 2026, increased demand saw a small flat fee introduced - $200 for trade stalls & $300 for food vendors - to cover administration and power costs, while continuing to give preference to local traders.

ADVANCING INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION IN RODEO SPORTS Demonstrating a commitment to skill development, the rodeo hosted a free Indigenous Rodeo Clinic on Thursday, August 7, at the Mount Isa Campdraft Grounds. Hosted by PBR cowboys Donovan Rutherford, Kelsey Pavlou and Jake Curr, and six-time Australian champion protection athlete Darryl ‘Chongy’ Chong. The program gave over 35 junior athletes the chance focus on fundamental rodeo skills, safety, and practice on stock prior to competing.

INVESTING IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Over $955,000 was spent locally and directly paid to Mount Isa businesses’. Where possible the rodeo was committed to engaging local businesses for essential services. These local suppliers included: • Security Services

• Beverage provision

• Catering & Styling (multiple suppliers)

• Accommodation venues for judges & officials & rodeo staff (four venue providers) • Signage provision (two suppliers)

• Transport of Equipment (multiple suppliers) • Waste Disposal (two)

• Fuel for Onsite over rodeo weekend

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MOUNT ISA RODEO 2026 PARTNER ACQUITTAL REPORT


EVENT HIGHLIGHTS THE 2026 MOUNT ISA MINES RODEO BUILT ON THE SUCCESS OF 2025, DELIVERING AN AFFORDABLE, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED EVENT WHILE CELEBRATING THE TRADITIONS AND PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE ISA RODEO UNIQUE.

• Affordable Access Gate prices remained unchanged from 2025, with single day adult entry at $50 and family passes at $120, ensuring the rodeo remained accessible to the community despite rising operational costs. • Hall of Fame Returns The Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame was reinstated, recognising the contribution of Rotarian Terry Lees and champion Australian rodeo athlete and steer wrestler Neville McCarthy. • Honouring Edna Jessop A permanent plaque was unveiled celebrating Edna Jessop, Australia’s first female boss drover and a pioneering Mount Isa stockwoman. • Record-Breaking Zonta Rodeo Queen Quest Four entrants raised an incredible $263,443 for four local charities and notfor-profit organisations, making 2026 the most successful Queen Quest on record. • Cowgirls in the Capital Brunch The sell-out event attracted 280+ women and reached capacity in just 45 minutes, cementing its place as a signature event of the Mount Isa Rodeo.

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MARKETING & PR OVERVIEW ABC NEWS BREAKFAST — NATIONAL OUTSIDE BROADCAST ESTIMATED MEDIA VALUE: $350,000

ABC News Breakfast broadcast its full threehour national program live from the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, delivering sustained exposure across ABC TV, ABC News and iView. With a national reach of up to 500,000 viewers, the Rodeo was integrated throughout the broadcast through interviews, weather crosses, crowd shots and location mentions.

OUTBACK QUEENSLAND TOURISM ASSOCIATION — NATIONAL EXPOSURE

OQTA secured significant national media exposure for the Rodeo, including Channel 9 Travel Guides, Channel 10 News, Channel 7 Weekender, Australian Traveller, RACQ The Road Ahead and national travel media. The event was also promoted through OQTA’s 48,000+ subscriber EDM, 40,000 Travellers Guides and 15,000 Drive Guides, strengthening the Rodeo’s profile as a major Queensland tourism event.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK FOR 2026 We’re pleased to report that the 2026 Rodeo again finished in the black, with prudent financial management delivering a positive result. With the event costing approximately $1.9 million to deliver, this result allows us to strengthen our financial reserves and build greater resilience for the future.

TOTAL MEDIA COVERAGE VALUE FOR 2026 Cumulative reach of almost 13 million and an ASR* of over AUD $3.3 million.

DIGITAL & SPONSOR VALUE SNAPSHOT

• Since launching new website and social channels in Feb 2025, Facebook followers have doubled post-June. • Over 3 million views and 63,000+ interactions, with Facebook driving most ticket sales. • Instagram reels reached up to 278,000 views; posts tagged with sponsors exceeded 1.2 million views combined. • Social media drove 15.5% of site traffic – Facebook contributing 90% of that. *Advertising Space Rate (also called AVE, Advertising Value Equivalent). It’s metric used to put a dollar value on editorial coverage by asking: If this story/article/segment/interview had been an advertisement of the same size/placement, how much would it have cost?

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MOUNT ISA RODEO 2026 PARTNER ACQUITTAL REPORT


REINVESTING IN THE FUTURE A STRONG FINANCIAL RESULT ALLOWS US TO REINVEST IN THE RODEO, COMPETITORS, FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING ITS LONG-TERM FUTURE. • Isa Rodeo Community Grant Fund $25,000 A new $25,000 annual grant fund will support Mount Isa community groups, organisations and sporting clubs, opening for applications each January from 2027 and will be assessed upon application, with up to $5000 per organisation.

• Investing in Competitors Open Event prize money increased to $20,000 in 2026, with a further increase planned for 2027 to $25,000 for Open Events and $1,000 for Junior Events (from $500), helping attract and retain leading competitors.

• Athlete Sponsorship Program – $10,000 In 2026, $10,000 supported Indigenous athlete Lareece Daley-Kennedy in her USA campaign. From 2027, a formal athlete sponsorship program will support local athletes from juniors through to seniors, with applications open to any level of competitor to be released in January of 2027.

• Buchanan Park Investment – $53,136+ More than $53,136 has been reinvested into Buchanan Park, including a permanent roping box, new entry signage, cold room upgrades and livestock yard and calf catch box improvements.

Looking Forward THE RUNWAY TO OUR 70TH YEAR IN 2029

The Mount Isa Rodeo remains proudly rooted in community and the red dirt, while continuing to evolve for the future. With our 70th anniversary on the horizon in 2029, planning is already underway. We look forward to sharing our 2027 sponsorship prospectus in early November and welcoming you along for the journey.

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