May Day Parades
May Day parades on 1st May were huge in Australia once, now known as Labour Day the event was to celebrate gaining the 8-hour day. Many decorated horse floats in the parades.
School Ponies
School ponies was once a class at agricultural shows, and also a prime mode of transport to and from school.
Ned Kelly’s horses
Ned Kelly had a grey mare named Music when he was taken in June 1880. When he was under fire at his last stand at Glenrowan, the grey mare followed him about among the trees.
Mollie McWilliam
Mollie McWilliam – equestrienne and athlete extraordinaire! Her name was Alice Mary McWilliam but she was always known as Mollie.
She rode from age six, and doted on horses so much her Dad, Fred McWilliam, got her a taffy pony named Dolly when she turned seven.
Jules Gascard
“The best coach horses in the entire world” – a deserved compliment often given to the horses of Jules Gascard in W.A.
Jules was based in Victoria and traded in horses all his life, including sending the first shipment of horses to India from Port Augusta.
Please note there may be images of Aboriginal people of the past, who have passed on, which may be distressing for some.
Kinnear’s and Buckjumping
The Kinnear family started saddlery in Australia in 1852, Bill’s father George Kinnear established saddleries at Kilmore and Euroa in Victoria. Three of his sons became saddlers.
Wanneroo Ponies
A Timor Pony population was established at Wanneroo from the 1830’s and continued into the 20th century. Apparently, a Wanneroo Pony was the bees-knees for Perth children once.
It’s (not) a Furphy
The furphy was a lovely strong water tank designed by Joseph Furphy. It could be pulled by a single horse and became very popular.
The Camels Also Charged
When we remember the famous charge at the Battle of Beersheba on 31st October 1917 let’s not forget the camels, who also charged earlier in the day.
Waler Poem – Rupertswood
A poem written by a student at Salesian College Rupertswood for a competition to win a place on the podium to read the poem at their 2017 ANZAC Day Service.