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Two Ni-Vanuatu riders have delivered a milestone result for the country’s stockmen community, placing at an official Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) event in Tasmania — the first time Vanuatu has been represented on the Australasian professional rodeo circuit.
At the Launceston Rodeo on December 13, Wetry Willie placed first in the steer ride, while Joe Niere secured second place in the bull ride, competing against experienced Australian riders. The appearance marked the riders’ first time competing in Australia, and their second international professional rodeo outing following competition in New Caledonia in 2023.
The riders were accompanied by Junior Pedro, Team Manager and Secretary of the Port Vila Stockmen’s Association, and supported through sponsorship from the Vanuatu Future Fund, which enabled their travel, participation, and preparation for the event.
A strategic investment in Indigenous pathways
The Tasmanian debut reflects the Future Fund’s broader focus on supporting indigenous Ni-Vanuatu participation in agriculture and livestock-based professions.
“We’re not just supporting a single competition,” said John Tonner, Managing Director of the Vanuatu Future Fund. “This is about exposure, skills development, and creating longer-term pathways for Ni-Vanuatu stockmen to train, compete, and progress professionally.”
Tonner said discussions with the Port Vila Stockmen’s Association extend beyond individual events and include aspirations for a national indigenous stockmen’s association, improved training and accreditation standards, and clearer career pathways within the agricultural sector.
From community roots to international competition
Rodeo culture in Vanuatu has grown steadily over the past decade, providing a rare public platform for agricultural workers whose skills are often unseen outside rural settings. Community events have traditionally brought together stockmen from islands including Santo, Tanna, and Malekula, strengthening inter-island networks and shared identity.
The Tasmania results signal an evolution from community-based competition to international participation, demonstrating that Ni-Vanuatu riders can perform competitively on professional circuits.
More than a podium finish
While the placings themselves represent a historic first, organisers and supporters say the broader significance lies in visibility and opportunity. For younger Ni-Vanuatu considering futures in agriculture, the riders’ performance offers a tangible example of how local skills can translate into international experience.
As Vanuatu continues exploring ways to strengthen its rural economy and indigenous participation in agriculture, the Launceston Rodeo stands as a milestone — defined not only by results, but by the pathways it opens next.
