The Garyowen Memorial
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Horse lovers and show equestrian event participants will no doubt have heard of the "Garyowen", which is held annually at the Royal Melbourne Show.
The 'Garryowen' Equestrienne Turnout (dressage) is the most prestigious turnout event in Australia and is open to lady riders, or Equestriennes, 18 years and over. It was introduced in 1934 in memory of the late Violet Murrell and her beloved Show hack, Garryowen, when she died trying to save it in a stable fire at her Mentone home.
The drinking trough was presented to the citizens of Mentone in 1935 by the Purple Cross Society.
The Purple Cross Society was formed in 1915 to alleviate the suffering of troop horses sent overseas during World War One. After that war, their service extended to provide care for horses that served essential roles in civilian life. They provided many street-side drinking troughs for working horses.
As a pre-teenager, I can recall seeing the horse trough in Balcombe Road Mentone, adjacent to the railway station. In 1970 it was removed for a car park and was relocated at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
In 1994, it was returned to Mentone and installed in the gardens on Como Parade on the western side of the station.
It is now converted to a planter box, but the original plaque has been retained.
Horse lovers and those with a sense of history should visit this memorial when in Mentone to reflect on the heroism of those who love their animals.
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101135 - 2023-06-12 09:21:25