Geoff O’Connor Memorial Buckle presented at St Brendan’s College Rodeo

St Brendan’s College Rodeo will this weekend unveil a commemorative award to recognise the life of much-loved member Geoff O’Connor after his teenage sons came up with an incredible idea.

A memorial buckle named in honour of Geoff O'Connor will be presented at the annual St Brendan's College Rodeo.

Geoff O’Connor was one of those blokes you could always rely on. He would just roll up his sleeves and get the job done, never seeking attention nor reward for his efforts.

He will be sorely missed - but fondly remembered - at the St Brendan’s College Rodeo on Saturday.

Geoff was a willing worker at the annual event and a staunch supporter of the school’s rodeo club, of which his younger son Grayson is an active member.

Geoff, 60, died in March this year after being diagnosed just a few months earlier with brain cancer.

Geoff O'Connor was a much-loved member of the St Brendan's College community.

He is survived by wife Catherine and sons Grayson (Year 10) and Mackenzie (Year 12).

His contribution and enduring impact on the school community will be recognised with the presentation of the Geoff O’Connor Memorial Buckle on Saturday.

The winners of the senior and junior steer rides and the junior bull ride in the student rodeo (open only to St Brendan’s students) will receive one, as will the O’Connor family.

Geoff’s sons had the idea and the school was only too happy to oblige.

The Geoff O'Connor Memorial Buckles will be presented at this weekend's St Brendan's College Rodeo.

Bill Oram, head of St Brendan’s agriculture department and rodeo club coordinator, said it was a wonderful way to pay tribute to his mate.

“We got on really well, and I had the honour of spending some time with him in his last days and weeks,” he said.

“He was one of those fellas who came and did whatever needed doing. He was the first one there to help and he never looked for the glory jobs.

“The memorial buckle is a lovely way to remember a person who did so much but didn’t seek the limelight.”

Bill said he witnessed one of the most touching moments of his teaching career when 35 members of the rodeo club formed a guard of honour at Geoff’s funeral service.

Members of St Brendan's College rodeo team formed a guard of honour at Geoff O'Connor's funeral service.

He said it would be hard not having his friend beside him on Saturday but he would be remembering the good times they shared.

The student rodeo at 10.30am will get the program started.

The action continues with the slack at 12.30pm followed at 4pm by the main rodeo featuring broncs, barrels, bulls, rope and tie, mini bulls, breakaway roping and steer rides.

As well as the traditional rodeo disciplines, there will be liberty and trick riding displays from Breanna Jayne Horsemanship, carnival rides, food vans and a bar will be operating.