UPDATE 11AM:
Organisers of the Simpson Rodeo are devastated by the unruly behaviour of some patrons at the event on the weekend.
Committee member Libby Van Donk expressed her dismay.
“It was a large dampener to the evening,” she said. “Luckily most of the families had left by then.
“We’re very appreciative of law enforcement for stepping in quickly.”
The community fund-raiser is in its third year and Ms Van Donk said a crowd of about 3500 people attended Saturday’s event.
“I hope that the behaviour of these young adults doesn’t mean that we’re not able to do events like this again,” she said.
“All in all we were rapt with our result for the work we put in and it’s good for the Simpson community and we’re really disappointed if we weren’t able to put it on in the future.”
Ms Van Donk said organisers were now looking at how the event could be made safer in the future.
“We offer free camping so people don’t drink and drive. If people can’t control their behaviour at the end of the night then we won’t be able to offer those kind of services.”
EARLIER
THE future of the Simpson rodeo is up in air after hundreds of people were involved in rolling brawls overnight Saturday.
Cobden police Acting Sergeant Tim McHutchison said investigations had already identified a number of ring leaders from two opposing groups and it was expected that penalty notices would be issued for drunkeness and behaviour issues.
"There were people camping there and there were two groups involved in the fights," he said.
"There would have been 200 to 300 people involved in spot fight and brawls. It was onging throughout the night."
Acting Sergeant McHutchison said fortunately no serious injuries had been reported to police.
"We had a unit there from 6pm, had four units there until 2am,when it was relatively peaceful and then we were called back and were there until 4am," he said.
"There was a large group of people fighting. I would say that between 15 to 20 people were sprayed with OC (capsicum) spray. Some were locals and some were from out of town.
"The fights involved drunken young men and women."
Acting Sergeant McHutchison said the rodeo finished about 10pm but then a band started playing and there was lots of drinking.
"There were fights through the night which security and police were breaking up, but after we left at 2am it erupted again," he said.
"Portable toilets were pushed over and there was other disruptive behaviour. We're still investigating and have spoken to a lot of people."
Acting Sergeant McHutchison said Victoria Police would also be working with organisers of the event to ensure there was never a repeat of similar behaviour.
"We are extremely disappointed. It's a good community fund-raising event but it may not go ahead in future because of the behaviour of the two groups of people," he said.
Anyone with information is requested to Cobden police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
