WATCHING Angus Elliott competing in the saddle bronc or the bull ride at a rodeo, you would come to the conclusion that Angus Elliott is a "bit of all right" as far as rough riding is concerned.
But Angus is somewhat more than a "bit of all right". The cowboy has never heard the sound of the crowd cheering, whistling and clapping as he rides time or is tossed into the dust in a saddle bronc or bare-back ride. In fact he has never heard a sound in his life.
Angus Elliott was born profoundly deaf.
Born in 1982 in Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast to parents Ian Elliott and Shona Hall, Angus was 12 months old when his deafness was detected. Although having been told he was born that way, Shona says there is some doubt as to whether or not it was caused from anti-biotics administered for a rash when he was four days old.
Angus learned to lip-read and a sign language known as Cued Speech: a visual communication system that uses eight hand shapes in four different placements near the face.
These hand-shapes, in combination with the mouth movements of speech, turn the sounds of spoken language into a visual language.
He was educated at the Nambour primary school where his mother assisted in the classroom, and completed his year 12 certificate at the Burnside High School.
His first job was on his grand parents' sheep and cattle property in the Bingara district, NSW. The job gave him a love for rural living and a thirst to experience life deeper into the outback.
After three years and at the age of 20, Angus set out for the Northern Territory where he worked as a jackeroo on Alroy Downs under the management of John Stafford for two years.
Having developed a great respect for the manager, he moved to Miranda Downs in Queensland Gulf country when the manager was transferred there.
Typical of any young stockman in the outback, he moved again after 18 months. This time it was back to the NT to Lake Nash Station where he was promoted to Weaner Camp Head Stockman handling up to 20,000 weaners a year.
It was during this time he found using cued speech particularly effective with the Aboriginal stockmen who have a natural ability to communicate by hand movements.
These stockmen found communicating easy and effective and developed a deep respect for their head stockman.
But there have been times when he has had a stick or a stone fly past his head as someone from behind tries to get his attention. This he said he doesn't mind provide it doesn't hit him or his horse.
Angus is currently working as a stockman back at Miranda Downs, north of Normanton and pursuing his rodeo career whenever the opportunity presents itself.
His first ride was a bullock ride at a rodeo in 2003 at Brunette Downs in the Northern Territory. He has been placed 4th at the Einasleigh Easter Rodeo and 2nd at the Cloncurry Western Club Rodeo and believes a winner's buckle is just around the corner.
When you see this young man in the chutes on the back of a bronc with his eyes glued to the horses withers, his free hand in the air and a look of sheer determination on his face, it invokes a feeling of deep respect.
When you realise the bronc rider - the cowboy - the head stockman has been profoundly deaf since birth, that respect changes to admiration for the man and the journey he has had to travel to get where he wants to be and do what he loves best.
For Angus Elliott there should be a big shiny buckle for the ride through life he has already ridden - a great ride on a pretty rough bronc.
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