THEY gathered outside Ilfracombe in the pre-dawn – grey, pink and wet, the soon to rise sun just a glow in the east.
The 30 men and women on horse back and a mob of 300 young cattle are bound for Longreach as part this weekend’s R.M. Williams Longreach Muster – an annual event designed to raise money for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
Leading the way is R.M. Williams chief executive officer Hamish Turner and in the saddle nearby are Stuart and Gary Hill, R.M. Williams Agricultural Holdings, Peter Hughes, Georgina Pastoral Company, and three riders from the Williams River Cattle Company – Jason Sharpe, Rodney Crump and Steve Ninnes.
Helping keep the mob moving is Longreach Shire Council mayor John Palmer, his chief executive officer Michelle McFadyen and stock routes coordinator Sarah Hoad.
They will arrive at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre later this afternoon.
Saturday is the R.M. Williams Outback Challenge followed by a bronco branding competition while Sunday’s highlights include the golden spurs campdraft and state-of-orgin rodeo.
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