Jinka

Jinka Station (Ilperle, NT) is approximately 300km north-west of Alice Springs, in the Harts Range. Jervois, the adjoining station is 380km from Alice. Mining was carried out on both places, then pastoral leases were taken up later.

In 1988 the then owner of Jinka, John Turner, was forced to sell when the government ordered the station de-stocked due to their Brucellosis Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC), This program was aimed at getting rid of feral animals – chiefly horses and buffalo – using possible infection of exotic diseases among them as an excuse. John was given a pittance for thousands of good cattle and his only way to survive was to sell the station. There were excellent horses on Jinka, and as some were sent to the meatworks via the Alice Springs sale yards as part of the BTEC, a few were bought by Waler fans. John had taken up the pastoral lease of Jinka in 1960. The horses had a bit of heft from mining horses once in the area; he used horse for cattle work.

Artillery horses brought by far the highest prices at Kidman’s horse sales, being used for the Army and also for coaches, wheat and wool wagons and such work. Artillery’s smack you in the face with a majestic look of tremendous size, power, athleticism and massive, good conformation.

Stallion Billjim is the pin-up boy for Jinka Station, an excellent Artillery type. Arriving on a truck from Jinka/Jervois to Victoria in early 1989, he is lovingly remembered as a gentle, grey giant. His legacy lives on through his many sons and daughters.

Read more about this station here.