Cromwell Community Board chairman Neil Gillespie wears many hats, including working for Contact Energy and being the deputy chief fire officer of the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Yesterday, he was wearing - literally - another of his hats, announcing at the Millers Flat Rodeo.
About 15 years ago, Mr Gillespie became involved with the Wanaka Rodeo Club, after participating in the Otago Goldfields Cavalcade about 10 times.
''I met a lot of people in rodeo as a part of that. I went to a rodeo in the '90s and I had a ball. I had been there five minutes and I found myself a job.
''Everyone volunteered me for the job [of announcing] and I thought I would give it a crack.''
His motivation was the desire to help small clubs host rodeos - though he has never ridden in one himself.
''I got involved when I was just a bit old.''
The announcer's role was to recount the action, but often the action did the talking.
''In the majority of cases, the ride speaks for itself and you don't need to say much. A good ride is one where the announcer is not required.''
Mr Gillespie attends about seven or eight rodeos a season, mainly announcing second division competitions.
Seasons run from Labour Weekend until late February.
So far, he had managed to avoid coming to any harm - announcers are in the ring with the action - but there had been a few close calls.
''I have strategically moved at just the right time when someone has called out.''
