Many icons of country music were in attendance including Adam Harvey and Chad Morgan, who did the honours of unveiling the statue; Geoff and Tabbi Mack, Lucky Starr, Carter Edwards, Allan Caswell, Auriel Andrews and The Summerland Kings.

Sculptor Tessa Wallis, who created the life-size bronze statue, cut the ribbon alongside Reg’s widow Ros Lindsay.

Ms. Wallis said it was a thrill to be involved.

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to make this statue, a lasting tribute to the love between Reg and Ros,” she said.

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said the statue is a brilliant tourism opportunity for the city.

“It’s great recognition of a fantastic performer who spent many years in Cessnock,” he said.

This followed Saturday’s rodeo, which kicked off in Cessnock with a street parade before the action moved out to Cessnock Racecourse (see more photos from the weekend here).

More than 1500 people were entertained by top rodeo riders and superb rodeo stock well into the evening then all headed over to the grandstand area for the rodeo after party.

Newcastle Jockey Club CEO Cameron Williams was thrilled with the event and is looking forward to further discussions of having the rodeo back in 2016.

Ms. Lindsay thanked everyone involved with the weekend, including family who travelled from Victoria, friends and East Cessnock Bowling Club.

“Marlene Hartog and Amanda Barrass plus all the staff and board members from East Cessnock Bowling Club did a remarkable job putting the VIP function together and presenting this wonderful tribute to Reg Lindsay,” she said.

“Having the statue ‘standing tall’ at the club will attract many visitors to Cessnock.

“He’s a true legend who needs to be remembered.”

RODEO REPORT

The Novice Bull Ride had only two cowboys staying on for the required eight seconds. Josh Barnett took home first place and Corey Duncan went to the pay window for second place.

Nakadoo Rodeo bulls were too tough for the Legends Over-40 year old cowboys with no scores recorded in this popular event.

The Howard and Queenie Winfield Memorial Open Bull Ride was won by Steven Wicks and only one other score with Tim Merrit taking home a cheque.

The cowgirls barrel race went to Mikayla Weir; second spot was Singleton cowgirl Amanda Watson; third Rebecca Roberts, who also won the Novice Barrel Horse event; fourth was Kerri Badior from Singleton followed by Kylie George.

Novice Bareback had one scoring ride going to Shannon Davey.

Novice Saddle Broncs also proved too tough for the rookie cowboys with only one score going to James Bratfield aboard Lincoln.

Open Saddle Bronc was won by Ben Lees on the big grey gelding Sherlock from the Terry Marshall Queensland buck jump team. Second place was Ben Maytom riding Two Hills and only one other score by Josh Barnett riding The Ghost.