Shipping Horses from the Port of Newcastle
Newcastle port was a key shipping port for horses to India, assisted by the infrastructure needed for coal, and the need for ships to take on coal for power.
Charles (Hellbent) Kenyon
Found some more details and photos to fill out the story of the amazing Charles Kenyon, initiated by Greg Reeves sending us three tremendous family photos.
St Patrick’s Day Parades
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Once we held big public parades for this special day. It all started on March the 17th, 1601…
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.