The club was originally established 50 years ago as a charity fundraising organisation and the past year has been one of the best in these terms.

Over the time the club has donated many thousands of dollars to various charities, institutions and causes in the district and beyond. While the rodeo is the largest event the club holds each year, its charity ride, which in recent years has been held in the Taralga district, attracts considerable sponsorship gathered by the riders who take part.

Shana McLean was the most sponsored rider on the charity ride last November and on Saturday night she was presented with the Adele Smith Memorial trophy for Most Sponsored Junior Rider at the Goulburn Rodeo Charity Ride by Adele’s father, Alan. This week marks 20 years since the 16-year-old was fatally shot in the Goulburn Base Hospital. Each year Alan and the family present the trophy for the most sponsored junior and have their name engraved on a perpetual trophy that has Adele’s photo as its centrepiece. Shana also received the Gloria Smith trophy for Most Sponsored Rider overall from Gloria, who for many years rode in the charity ride and was always well supported.

President Jeff Rowson told the gathering at their volunteers thank you function at the Workers Club on Saturday night that the 50th anniversary rodeo in February was the biggest the club had held. Takings on food, drink and the gate surpassed all previous years and the spectator area was just about at capacity. 

“We get a lot of support from community organisations and in return we aim to support the community,” he said.

 Acting Director of Nursing at Goulburn Base Hospital, Cheryl Tozer said the $1500 they received from the Rodeo Club would be used to provide new heavy-duty walking frames for the rehab unit.

Canteen will be using its $1500 to support young people aged from 12 to 25 years who have been affected by cancer in their family to meet other young people who have had similar experiences in their peer support programs.

The Parkesbourne Uniting Church will benefit from a wheelchair access ramp.

Jacki Waugh said Goulburn Pony Club would use its $1250 to provide training programs for its young members.

Mr Rowson said the club was aiming to install even more shade cloths during the off season to protect spectators from the sun and further improve the spectator amenities. The Rodeo Club is also aiming to construct new toilet facilities to cater for the increased crowd numbers and the additional events, like team roping and the dog trials that are held in the area throughout the year.

Beneficiaries were:

Canteen (Canberra and Southern NSW) $1500, Goulburn Base Hospital $1500, Goulburn and District Cancer Support Group $1000, Convoy for Kids $500, Trek for Kidz $500, Parkesbourne Uniting Church $750, Towrang Rural Fire Service $500, Goulburn Pony Club $1250 and Tirranna P&C $1250.

Donations through the year were made to Levi Willoughby, who was raising money for Palliative Care and the Tenison Apartments for a barbecue.