Not everyone has heard of Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe, but for those who have, it’s an institution.<\/p>\n
He’ll sell you a ticket, spin you a yarn and dare you into the ring.<\/p>\n
For more than four decades, fourth-generation showman Fred Brophy has been carting his boxing tent and fighters to Birdsville, one of the most remote towns in the country, as part of its annual races.<\/p>\n
But this year’s event, held earlier this month, marked the last time he would bring his tent.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The crowd was electric at the final show at the Birdsville Races. (Supplied: Peter Wallis)<\/p>\n
Final showdown<\/p>\n
In his signature red shirt, on the edge of the Simpson Desert, he stands on a raised platform, beating a bass drum with ritual certainty.<\/p>\n
“Who wants a fight,” he spruiks.<\/p>\n
Courageous punters throw up their hands and a bell clangs as they’re chosen.<\/p>\n
It’s part circus, part showdown, part spectacle \u2014 but now these boxing bells have tolled for the last time.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brophy’s grandchildren were in Birdsville for the last show. (Supplied: Peter Wallis)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“There comes a time when enough’s enough,” Brophy said.<\/p>\n
“I’m 73, when I’m getting up on that ladder, I can’t do it like I used to.”<\/p>\n
Brophy said he was cutting back on shows and did not take his tent to New South Wales or Victoria anymore because of government regulations.<\/p>\n
But as long as he could get up the ladder, he said he would keep entertaining.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fred Brophy is a legend in outback Queensland.\u00a0 (Supplied: Peter Wallis)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“When I go it will be a part of Australia that’s gone but don’t worry, I’ll be around for a while,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I’m lucky like a cat, I’ve got nine lives.”<\/p>\n
Boxing in Birdsville<\/p>\n
The Birdsville Races have attracted crowds of thousands to the far south-west of Queensland for 143 years.<\/p>\n
For about 42 of those, Brophy has pitched his tent across from the pub.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fred Brophy at the Birdsville Races in 1990. (Supplied: State Library of Queensland)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Henry Butler grew up in Birdsville, and the 25-year-old Wangkangurru man remembers how it felt as a kid watching the town of 100 explode.<\/p>\n
At a young age, he fell in love with the spectacle of the boxing tent.<\/p>\n
“We used to sneak over and listen to the drum, watch all the fighters pop up,” he said.<\/p>\n
“One time, I think I was around 10, Fred looked at us and said, ‘I reckon these two young fellas should get up and have a fight’.”<\/p>\n
Henry and his cousin had a crack on the mats and made $600 from the crowd throwing in coins.<\/p>\n
“It’s something I never forgot,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
Henry was sent to boarding school more than 1,000 kilometres away in Yeppoon, so it was years before he made it back to Brophy’s.<\/p>\n
“Every year Freddie was like, ‘It’s going to be my last year [in Birdsville],’ Henry said.<\/p>\n
“That went on for a few years,” he laughed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Henry Butler (kneeling in front) with the boxing troupe from Birdsville. (Supplied: Peter Wallis)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Last year, Henry donned the robes for Brophy and this year he stepped into the ring for a final fight in his home town.<\/p>\n
“People think all we’re doing is just boxing but you have to be there to see and understand it,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.<\/p>\n
“The main reason I love it is the atmosphere: the crowds, everyone is singing along, getting along, having a beer together and then they jump in the ring, but after everyone is having a beer and a good yarn together.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some people train all year to take on Fred Brophy’s fighters. (Supplied: Peter Wallis)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
End of an era<\/p>\n
Gary Brook’s family owns a large cattle station near Birdsville and runs the town’s annual races.<\/p>\n
Mr Brook, 44, has not missed a single year.<\/p>\n
“I’ve never looked out from the pub and not seen his [Brophy’s] tent,” he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fred Brophy and Gary Brook at a special Q&A session at this year’s races. (Supplied: Peter Wallis)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a strange feeling in years to come.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great loss that he’s called time, but we can understand it.”<\/p>\n
But even if the tent never returns, Brophy himself won’t be staying away.<\/p>\n