The action packed rodeo was watched by about 300 people and gave cowboys and cowgirls from across Australia the chance to compete for prize money and notoriety. 

Katherine cowgirl Tamika Jackson was the only female competitor in the junior bull riding heats, but unfortunately did not qualify. 

And Katherine resident Darcy McBean, Australian Bull Riding Champion, won the open competition.  

Although there were no serious injuries in any of the heats, one young brave poddy rider lost his tooth in the battle to stay put. 

“That is one tough son,” the commentator said. 

“Sorry mum, your son is not going to be a doctor, he’s going to be a bull rider,” he said.  

Over two weekends hundreds of people will flock to Mataranka to celebrate the diversity of the Never Never. 

The Mataranka Never Never Festival running from Friday to Sunday, May 27 is a tribute to Jeannie Gunn’s famous 1908 novel We of the Never Never which put Mataranka on the international stage. 

The festival kicked off with a ‘Back to the Never Never Theme Night’. 

And on top of horse sports, the campdraft is still to come.