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31 July, 2024
Ringer forced to earn his keep at Quamby Rodeo
Will Kelly learnt a harsh lesson at the iconic bush event.
"Make sure you track down the lolly man – it’s usually some poor young ringer who gets roped into it.”
Those were the first words spoken to North West Weekly as we walked through the gates at the 2024 Quamby Rodeo.
The lolly man is a popular part of the day. It is the event after the lunch break but before the famed Quamby donkey race.
It is a lone, sugar-draped figure versus a wall of hungry, sugar-hyped kids.
The “poor young ringer” this year was Will Kelly – a 19 year old originally from Goondiwindi who has been working at Buckingham Downs near Dajarra since February this year.
It seemed his ignorance of the event was the reason he had been selected.
Will was casual yet oblivious as he wrestled with the long sleeves and buttons lathered with lollipops, wrappers and sherbert – transforming him into the lolly man.
“I have had a few rums and a few beers already so it won’t be so bad,” he joked.
Meanwhile, about 20 metres away, a growing mob of kids convened on the rodeo arena – pushing and tackling each other and generally just warming up to take down the ill-prepared lolly man.
Will climbed into the chute like a lamb to the slaughter and managed a thumbs up to the camera.
Metres away, the kids were pushing each other hoping to get to the front of the crowd.
Among the onlookers was Gemma Evans, who had spent the night before gluing the hundreds of sugar items to the disused green work shirt.
“The trick is to get the oldest shirt possible so that it rips as soon as the kids tackle him,” she joked.
Will’s instructions were pretty simple – run for as long as he could until he is brought down by the kids.
“You won’t last long,” someone told Will.
The alarm was signalled; the door was opened; Will sprang into action; the crowd roared with approval; and the kids apprehended the lolly man.
For a few minutes Will couldn’t be seen underneath the swarm of kids.
It took a few minutes, but he eventually reemerged – shirtless, as expected.
“You were getting mauled in there,” a security guard yelled out
“I guess I was,” a battered Will replied as he regained his composure, searching around for his hat and sunglasses.
“I think I’ll get another rum.”