The High Country Comes to Melbourne - 1984

In September 1984, the High Country came to Melbourne.

After travelling on horseback from Melbourne towards the Victorian High Country with two horses, a packhorse and my Kelpie, Mick, I arrived at Merrijig and encountered the Mountain Cattlemen's protest against proposed changes to traditional alpine grazing.

My horses and Mick were later transported back to Flinders Park, where hundreds of High Country cattlemen and their supporters had gathered before riding through the city to Parliament House in Spring Street.

These photographs were taken at Flinders Park before the procession began. They record the people behind the protest—the cattlemen, families, supporters, officials and spectators gathered beneath the trees, talking, waiting and preparing for the ride into Melbourne.

The photographs are deliberately candid. Rather than concentrating only on the public spectacle, they capture the faces, clothing, hats, signs and quiet moments within the crowd.

Seen more than forty years later, they provide a personal photographic record of a significant moment in the long-running debate over the future of cattle grazing in Victoria's High Country.

The protest ride itself was documented as taking place on 4 September 1984, with historical records recording 304 horses, two wagons and four dogs travelling to Parliament House.

The Gathering - A dense crowd of High Country cattlemen and supporters gathers beneath the eucalyptus trees at Flinders Park. Wide-brimmed hats, work clothing and attentive faces capture the atmosphere before the procession into Melbourne.

The Gathering - A dense crowd of High Country cattlemen and supporters gathers beneath the eucalyptus trees at Flinders Park. Wide-brimmed hats, work clothing and attentive faces capture the atmosphere before the procession into Melbourne.

Cattlemen and Supporters - Hundreds of people gather beneath the trees, surrounded by the distinctive hats and clothing of the High Country cattlemen. A protest sign rises above the crowd, expressing the cattlemen's view of their role as custodians o

Cattlemen and Supporters - Hundreds of people gather beneath the trees, surrounded by the distinctive hats and clothing of the High Country cattlemen. A protest sign rises above the crowd, expressing the cattlemen's view of their role as custodians of the High Country.

Among the Crowd - A close view into the gathering reveals the faces and characters within the protest. From the man in the foreground to the young girl and the cattlemen behind them, the photograph records the human side of the demonstration.

Among the Crowd - A close view into the gathering reveals the faces and characters within the protest. From the man in the foreground to the young girl and the cattlemen behind them, the photograph records the human side of the demonstration.

Listening - A group stands closely together beneath the eucalyptus trees, listening to events unfolding nearby. The mixture of bush clothing, hats, jackets and more formal attire reflects the broad group of people who had gathered at Flinders Park.

Listening - A group stands closely together beneath the eucalyptus trees, listening to events unfolding nearby. The mixture of bush clothing, hats, jackets and more formal attire reflects the broad group of people who had gathered at Flinders Park.

Waiting Beneath the Tent - Cattlemen, families and supporters gather beneath a large canvas tent. Hats, faces and expressions emerge from the deep shade as people wait for the day's events to unfold.

Waiting Beneath the Tent - Cattlemen, families and supporters gather beneath a large canvas tent. Hats, faces and expressions emerge from the deep shade as people wait for the day's events to unfold.

Before the Ride - The crowd gathers beneath the tent at Flinders Park, waiting for the protest procession to begin. Among the faces are cattlemen, supporters and younger members of the community, captured in an unposed moment.

Before the Ride - The crowd gathers beneath the tent at Flinders Park, waiting for the protest procession to begin. Among the faces are cattlemen, supporters and younger members of the community, captured in an unposed moment.

The High Country Gathering - Men, women and children gather in front of the tents, some seated and others standing behind them. The wide view captures the scale and character of the gathering before the cattlemen rode into central Melbourne.

The High Country Gathering - Men, women and children gather in front of the tents, some seated and others standing behind them. The wide view captures the scale and character of the gathering before the cattlemen rode into central Melbourne.

Mansfield Shire Supports Alpine Grazing - Uniformed police stand beside vehicles and equipment while a prominent sign declares “Mansfield Shire Supports Alpine Grazing.” The photograph brings together the official presence, protest message and rural

Mansfield Shire Supports Alpine Grazing - Uniformed police stand beside vehicles and equipment while a prominent sign declares “Mansfield Shire Supports Alpine Grazing.” The photograph brings together the official presence, protest message and rural community surrounding the event.

Media and Protest - A television camera records the gathering as people cluster around a vehicle and speakers. The photograph captures the growing media attention surrounding the cattlemen's protest and the meeting between rural Australia and the cit

Media and Protest - A television camera records the gathering as people cluster around a vehicle and speakers. The photograph captures the growing media attention surrounding the cattlemen's protest and the meeting between rural Australia and the city.

The Speaker - A High Country cattleman addresses the gathering from an improvised platform among the eucalyptus trees. In the foreground, a large television camera records the speech, providing a glimpse of the media presence surrounding the protest.

The Speaker - A High Country cattleman addresses the gathering from an improvised platform among the eucalyptus trees. In the foreground, a large television camera records the speech, providing a glimpse of the media presence surrounding the protest.

A Face in the Crowd - An older cattleman looks directly towards the camera while holding a protest sign pole. His weathered face, broad-brimmed hat and country clothing provide an intimate portrait within the much larger gathering.

A Face in the Crowd - An older cattleman looks directly towards the camera while holding a protest sign pole. His weathered face, broad-brimmed hat and country clothing provide an intimate portrait within the much larger gathering.