Cowboys and Other Country Reflections

Kathleen Fisher
Reflections

In the past, I would have avoided taking this picture of Tim Davaris (left) and Dave Willersdorf (right) — it would have seemed just too much of a cliché of country life. But since moving to Yass, I've realised that clichés exist for a reason and that boys in Wrangler jeans and felt hats sipping booze do reflect an aspect of rural existence.

I took this photo at the Yass Rodeo and the Yass Ute Muster (two events held as one) in November. As an aside, I just looked up "cliché" on The Free Dictionary website and the page included a cartoon of a cowboy on a bucking bull!

I do baulk at calling these guys "cowboys". Is there an Australian equivalent? Jackaroo doesn't fit the bill because that's a job description, rather than an attitude.