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14 August, 2024
End of an era for Zonta Bush Poet's Breakfast
Beloved MC Keith Douglas has hung up the hat as host of the rodeo week event.
What will the Zonta Bush Poet’s Breakfast be without the animated Keith Douglas as MC?
It’s the question no one wanted the answer to, but one we’ll find out next year as the legendary bush poet called time on his hosting duties at last Thursday’s annual rodeo week event.
“It’s really sad and it was a tough decision to make but I’ve had to drop a lot of things over the years and this is probably getting down to one of the last things I had held onto,” Keith told North West Weekly.
“It’s been a fantastic event and we’ve had some great mornings here over the years.”
“What I love is that Zonta helps women in trouble and that has a special place in my heart.”
Keith said he had two reasons for stepping aside as the MC – his seven grandkids and a cattle station at Middleton.
“We’ll still be coming and going (from the North West). We’ve still got a little property at Mary K and a house in Cloncurry,” he said.
“But we’ve got a cattle property down at Middleton that I want to spend more time developing and I’ve got seven grandkids that I want to spend time with.
“I think you’ve got to use the wisdom that you have to help them get set up for life.
“The parents rear them but the old grandparents can still impart plenty of wisdom.”
Mount Isa Zonta branch stalwart shed plenty of tears as she farewelled Keith on behalf of the organisation.
She said the search would now start for a “replacement for the irreplaceable”.