EVERYDAY PEOPLE - Bronco Jensen - An infectious personality

Local entertainer Bronco Jensen greets me with his trademark smile and cracks a joke to bring a smile, and then a laugh to my lips.

Bronco has the kind of infectious personality that makes you want to be around him. With a larger-than-life presence, a big personality, and a wicked sense of humour Bronco’s jokes provide a welcome relief from life's ups and downs.

Although Bronco is not his real name, it is the name by which most people know him, and it’s what we will be using throughout this article.

Born in Darlinghurst, Sydney in 1957, Stephen Charles Jensen has many fond memories of his childhood and says, “My grandfather was quite a wealthy fellow, he had a block of flats in Victoria over Potts Point way, as a kid I watched the Opera House being built from our back window, that was cool.

The Jensen family moved around a bit, but he remembers it as a happy time. They all had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, and when they lived in Merrylands, weekends were often spent camping by the creek and hiking at his grandma’s place. School, however, was a different story. Bronco experienced bullying due to his hearing impairment, but he found solace in winning talent contests and discovered a love for woodwork one day a week when it was on the schedule.

The nickname “Bronco” emerged when Steve, as he was known then, began a business, with a business partner’ called Steve’s 4x4 Safaris, which toured K’gari (Fraser Island) and the Cooloola Coast. 

Bronco says, “We bought Ford F 100s and got canopies on the back that happened to be branded as Bronco Canopies. We customised those to seat people inside and then named the business Bronco 4-Wheel Drive Safaris.

“On the odd day off, I would then visit the agents for a bit of PR work. Well, they could never remember my name so I would walk in the door, and they would call me Mr Bronco, that was in about 1976 so the name has stuck ever since”.

After several years the partnership soured, and then Bronco was offered a job by the late Sid Melksham at Eurong Beach Resort. The job involved being a tour driver guide by day, playing the guitar, and singing at night. Bronco spent a total of twenty-seven years driving on K’gari (Fraser Island) and formed a close friendship with Sid.

Sid’s death (in 2020) hit Bronco hard, but he has many great memories from that special time.

Bronco also played in a few bands, including his band Bro 'n' Co. Well-known local musician Keri McInerney joined the band and sang with them for quite a long time. They remain great friends to this day.

After developing nodules on his vocal cords, Bronco turned to Karaoke purchasing all of the equipment and starting Tun A Fun Enterprises, which gives other people the opportunity to feel the limelight.

Covid hit the entertainment industry hard, but Bronco was lucky as he has always had his woodwork to fall back on. Through his side hustle R.A.G Slab Furniture, he creates many things out of wood from signs to tables and everything in between. While not a lot of money is made, he loves wood crafting and finds the whole process therapeutic.

Bronco has served as an emcee at numerous signature events, such as the Mary Poppins Festival, the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, and the Fraser Coast Show. He thoroughly enjoys announcing at events and looks forward to holding the mic at many more.

As if he isn’t busy enough, he also volunteers for the Nikenbah Historical Railway Village when he has the time.  

Bronco and his wife Tanya share a love for the Fraser Coast and all it has to offer.

Written by Kim Parnell

What’s On Fraser Coast