Territory rodeo community in mourning for ‘tireless supporter’ Toni-Marie Butt
THE Northern Territory rodeo community is in mourning following the death of Toni-Marie Butt, the long-term president of the Territory’s peak junior rodeo association.
Northern Territory
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THE Northern Territory rodeo community is in mourning following the death of Toni-Marie Butt, the long-term president of the Territory’s peak junior rodeo association.
Ms Butt, who died on June 15, 2021 after a short but courageous battle with cancer, was involved in junior rodeo in the Territory for 14 years, including serving as the Northern Cowboys Association Inc (NCA Inc) president for the past nine.
During that time, and with support from her husband Garry, she organised events across the Territory each rodeo season, encouraged and helped develop the next generation of riders and promoted the sport further afield.
Friend Julienne Blake said Ms Butt had been a much-loved and admired leader who had made a huge contribution to junior rodeo in the Territory.
“Toni-Marie has made an outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of junior rodeo through the NCA and with many other affiliated clubs, here in the Territory and Western Australia,” she said.
“Her passionate love of rodeo saw her work tirelessly full-time every rodeo season to put on junior rodeo events here in Darwin and Adelaide River and co-ordinate the other affiliated rodeos.
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“It was Toni-Marie’s vision that junior rodeo would remain a sporting fixture for future generations of riders.
“(She) was dedicated to the young riders, who could start riding as young as three years of age and graduate at 18 years. Those young adults would often return to mentor and support the younger riders or volunteer behind the chutes.
“Toni-Marie encouraged unity, good sportsmanship, and mentoring of the junior riders. Many young riders, regarded Toni-Marie as their second mother, always there offering encouragement and support as they were growing up on the rodeo circuit.”
After being diagnosed with cancer Ms Butt went into palliative care, but Ms Blake said she remained so dedicated to the rodeo association she continued to assist – right up to just days before she died.
“She … checked herself out on the day of the first junior rodeo of the season on June 12, 2021 so she could say thanks and goodbye to her rodeo family,” she said.
“On the night, Toni-Marie and her husband, Garry were brought into the arena on a quad bike and with all the junior riders lined up, they were thanked for their enormous contribution to the sport and given an award of appreciation. Two days later, Toni-Marie succumbed to her illness.”
A funeral for Ms Butt was held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Darwin on June 25.
Her final wish was for attendees to make a donation to her beloved NCA Inc.
Ms Blake said Ms Butt left “a legacy of strong leadership and dedication … in junior rodeo that will be long remembered in the Territory”.
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