Katter calls on young riders to saddle up
May 23, 2025
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has thrown his support behind the next generation of riders during a visit to the Gordonvale Pony Club – urging more young people to take up horse riding, not just as a sport but as a proud part of Australia's heritage.
"Since the dawn of time, man has been riding horses, and he will continue to do so until the end of time," Mr Katter said.
"Our history, not just in Australia but across the world, has been shaped on horseback. You can't understand world history without understanding the role that horses played on the Silk Road – from China to Europe, those horses were the beating heart of civilisation.
"Working with horses gives you courage, discipline, and pride – all the things our country desperately needs more of," he said.
"Horse riding is the most enjoyable pastime – and it keeps you fit and grounded in the real world, not glued to a screen.
"I've never been real keen on trekking. I've done about six or seven hundred kilometres in the army and another eight or nine hundred kilometres along the road to St Francis station in my prospecting days. I've been extremely keen on horses ever since."
Kisten Bodkin, President of the Gordonvale Pony Club, said pony clubs are for anyone, even those like Mr Katter whose riding careers have been less than glorious.
"Horse riding builds more than just riding skills. We've always said that 'pony club is fun', and that's kind of our motto. Even when you're having a rough time, pony club is fun, and it's truly for everyone.
"Working with horses teaches personal responsibility and discipline, and gives a goal for young people to aim for, and we love seeing them excel at their passion.
"Even though it's an individual sport, you learn how to socialise with people of all ages and you make lifelong friends.
"We've seen ourselves and our children grow up, and while school friendships often drift apart, the pony club friendships just seem to stand the test of time."
Zoe Macor, Secretary of the Gordonvale Pony Club, said the club has become a multi-generational legacy in her family.
"My kids have grown up in the club and are now instructors here, and my grandchildren are coming up the ranks as well.
"It's wonderful seeing our children travel to state and national events. The kids see their instructors riding and competing, and have something to strive for.
"With three generations of our family involved in the club, well there's nothing quite like it."
Mr Katter encouraged locals to saddle up for a night of entertainment at the Gordonvale Round of the 2025 Great Northern Bullriding Series this Saturday, May 24th, from 7pm.
The event will raise funds for grounds and facilities upgrades, ensuring up-and-coming riders have a place to grow their skills for years to come.
ENDS
Bob: “Back in my day, we used an automatic gate opener.” Wendi: “I have one. The gate just automatically opened for me.”
Bloody Alex and his inner-city trendy accent… It’s pronounced “Boulia” ya drongo!
AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO BETTER USE OUR GREAT MINERAL, AGRICULTURAL AND LAND WEALTH Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Our mineral resources are vast. Our agricultural potential is huge. We have millions of hectares of land unutilised or under-utilised. Australians should be swimming in wealth …. NOT drowning in debt. Successive governments have slowed our economy to a grinding halt in a ruthless pursuit of a WOKE agenda. A REVOLUTION is coming… Australians are starting to fight back against the corporate and political elite that have sold and squandered our great Nation. It’s about time that government starts governing for the betterment of Australians or GET OUT and let the independent fighters that TRUELY represent their electorates and Australia have a go!!!!
Everyday, wonderful and courageous men and women of our police forces put their personal safety to the side to protect Australians. Most make it home… some, tragically, do not. Today we remember and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
In Mount Isa the answer is the same as Brisbane…. When Bob asks people “What would you do if you were the PM of Australia?” Overwhelmingly the answer is reduce migration levels. When the media runs stories of ISIS brides returning, mass murder at Bondi, machete crime in Melbourne… Australians are concerned…. Our cities are being stuffed with people who have no intention to contribute to our society... no want to integrate... they reside in large ethnic enclaves.. some migrate through lawful channels, many abuse the student and family dependent visa systems. Every year about 1 million more people come into Australia than leave… we are swamped. We want our country back.
Absolutely.. in the north we are controlled by a government based in the south east corner that is closer to Sydney. In the last 6 months we have lost yet another seat in Parliament to Brisbane... the Olympic Games extravaganza is costing more than the entire annual State budget... they have all the infrastructure, services and resources... we have potholes, patchwork road works, overstretched hospitals and police. For the North to be the powerhouse of this nation’s economy we need some autonomy so we can start the projects, build the infrastructure and create the wealth.
Thanks to the folks in Einasleigh, and Mayor Barry Hughes for having me yesterday in town and giving me my riding instructions! It wasn’t that long ago that most of the area was underwater. If ever there were an argument for a separate state— this is it. I don’t know of a million people anywhere in the world that are ruled by a government over 1,000 kilometres away or 2,000 kilometres away. Nowhere in the world does that exist. But when you are a small, isolated rural community, you are forgotten. The bridges are too low and they go under water all the time, the roads are too low and they go under water all the time, so there’s little replenishment of supplies. So there is work to be done. Thanks to publican Tayla for the chips and gravy, holding down the fort, taking care of the kitchen, bar and kids while her husband Braydon is away (winning most of the titles in NQ rodeo/campdraft/regional grand finals in Townsville!).
Finally commonsense has prevailed and the trucks are back on the road delivering essential supplies to some of Australia’s most remote and vulnerable communities. Massive thank you to Hawkins Transport for providing this essential service for so many years and tenaciously fighting to ensure its’ continuation. Fellas, I take my hat off to you. Great job
The Albanese government’s attack on backpackers is illogical at best and, at worst, just down right stupid. Overwhelmingly the pathway to permanent migration is through the student visa scheme and not backpackers. In our regions backpackers pick our fruit, pour our beers, clean our hotel rooms and make our coffees… they spend monies earnt exploring our wonderful country. Very few stay and those that do integrate into our communities. Backpackers must be encouraged and welcomed into Australia … they are NOT and should never be considered to be part of the backdoor migration cohort. They’re just here for a good time… not a long time. And for that I thank them for coming here, doing the work, spending the money and having the adventure.
In the north we can pay up to 4 times the cost for insurance as is paid in the rest of Australia. 20% northern homes are uninsured (more than double Australia’s average). Of the homes that are insured 83% are under insured - meaning that insurance won’t cover rebuilding costs. THIS IS NOT JUST CONCERNING… THIS IS A NATIONAL EMERGENCY. Further exacerbated by the Federal government tightening the purse strings on much needed disaster funds. We need legislation change to get more insurers offering affordable insurance in the north. That is why the cyclone reinsurance pool was introduced... That is what government should be doing.
