When farewelling a legend warrants more than just a little bull

It’s not surprising a community came to a near standstill last week – the day it said farewell to one of its best.

A father, grandfather and mate. A horseman who knew few bounds – literally, especially when it came to the bull riding ring – and a grumpy bugger full of a bull called Chainsaw.

They also remembered a bloke with an equally large sense of humour – there aren’t many farmers who would give the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy team, well, free rein, to make him over.

George Hempenstall was that sort of bloke.

In a eulogy only a mate could write, Brent Langley told the many family, friends and acquaintances at George’s funeral in Canberra on Friday, 20 September – where his boots and hat sat atop his coffin – that George was, first, a devoted father and grandfather. But his passion for bulls came a close second.

George’s love for bull riding began through his Yass mate Pat Condon who let him work with some of his young bulls.

But, Brent told the gathering that George soon decided only his own animals would do it, and after a trip to the Sydney saleyards, he and Pat bought one each. But when they got back to Yass and the agent opened the truck, there were three bulls – the two they’d bought and a cream-coloured Brahman cross bull calf. George was told he could have the other one for $180.

A legend was born. This “extra” bull was to become Chainsaw – the most notorious bull in our recent history, eight-time bucking bull of the year.

Chainsaw’s ear tag, 327, was almost as famous as he was for throwing riders off. It held no great significance; rather, it was just George’s letterbox number. Chainsaw, when he first arrived on the Yass property, took out a line of timber fencing.

George, keen to pursue his career as a bull rider in the United States – and probably recoup some money for new fencing back home – later sold Chainsaw and the bull ended up with Australian rodeo champion and contractor Gary McPhee. The rest of the story has filled Australia’s bull riding record books.

Legend has it that Chainsaw knew exactly how good he was. Often, after throwing another cowboy into the dirt, he’d set off on a victory lap around the arena with his head held high, playing up to the thousands of cheering rodeo fans chanting his name.

Although he was the sort of man to put everyone else first, George was not immune to having a go at just about anything.

When the Queer Eye For the Straight Guy team “discovered” Yass in 2018, they went looking for a person and place to makeover in the way only they could – with zhoosh. They ended up selecting a local bistro – and George Hempenstall.

Watching the video, you see the farmer opening up, telling the Queer Eye team that it was with Chainsaw that he felt his strongest. But he also said he was at his best when he was with his family – and that living the single life on his Yass farm wasn’t perfect.

Nominated by his son Levi, George, with only a little trepidation, agreed to the Queer Eye team’s makeover, complete with a new front tooth of which he was particularly proud.

The team went through George’s wardrobe, chucking out pretty much everything. But when they asked George if there was anything he couldn’t do without, he brought out a shirt with a large patch on the back of it covering a tear.

“This is the shirt I wore when I rode a bull called Chainsaw,” he told them. “I could never get rid of this.”

After they got him a new wardrobe, George told them, “I look a bit smooth now.”

Thanking his son for nominating him for the makeover, George said, “I just want to set my kids a good example. You inspire me.”

To the Queer Eye crew: “Thank you for getting my tooth. I really wanted to smile at my daughter’s wedding.”

George Hempenstall was born on 11 November 1964 and died on 11 September 2024. He was the devoted father of Alana, Levi and Lauren and grandfather of Sofia. Much-loved son of Joan (dec) and Richard (dec) and brother to Joan, Elizabeth and Richard (dec).