newsletter 48 / 2016

Alderley Waler History

Alderley Station was settled in 1831 by the Australian to catapult the Australian Waler into legend. October Agricultural Company as a stud. The famed 31st, 1917, marks the cataclysmic event that the Waler today historic ‘Alderley House’ was erected between 1830 – 1831 by is most famous for, and demonstrates spectacularly, and Convict labour for the station’s farrier, groom and vet – former tragically, the outstanding strength and endurance for which it Irish Policeman Mr. Francis McNally and his family. was bred; when two regiments of the , the 4th and the 12th, charged over six kilometres of open Then, the locality claimed no less than 1,143 acres of land, but desert ground against the Turkish and German defences of today Alderley’s land is just 12 acres and the property hosts Beersheba – , in a daring and desperate attack to a boutique vineyard, producing Chambourcin and Verdelho save the British from a disastrous defeat. It is renowned as the grapes. This article will consider the history of the famed last great successful charge in history. Australian that once called Alderley home – The Waler. For a time after, the Australian horse trade continued, but The Waler first began development during the very early the introduction of efficient and affordable motorised means years of Australian Colonial history, their roots stemming from of transportation and machinery saw a rapid decrease in the the many and diverse breeds imported for use by the young need for horses, and by the 1950s commercial breeding of colony. At this point in time the Waler was not a breed, and Walers had ultimately dissipated. By the 1960s the Waler, had yet to develop into a distinguishable type – rather, they once eulogised as one of the greatest cavalry horses in were simply the ‘Australian’ horses; mixed bloods cross- history, became an anachronism, and was pushed to the very bred to create a superior working horse better suited to the brink of extinction. unforgiving Australian environment. In 1986 the Waler became formally recognised as a breed. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s, following a boom in demand In 2014, Alderley once again saw the return of their beloved for the Australian-bred horse from other countries and the Walers in the form of a lovely black mare of strong Waler establishment of a thriving international horse trade, that heritage “Juroki Jenna”. Since then, the birth of her son, the Waler earnt its name. The term ‘Waler’ was a nickname “Alderley Remembers Beersheba”, born on November 1st coined by the British to describe the horses being imported 2016, seeing Alderley re-established as a Waler stud – the very from (which at that time made up reason for which it was built. ’s entire East Coast), to India for use as remounts for the cavalry, artillery, and as carriage and sport horses for both ------the British Army and the Raj in India. Special thanks to Colin Davidson for sharing his time and knowledge While favour and demand for Walers among buyers from all over the world during the 1800s was continuing to blossom, Kayla Mills © 2016 it was the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 that was WHOBAA Website Administrator www.walerhorses.org

R & R Property T 02 4994 5766 www.randrproperty.com.au The Festive Season is once again almost upon us! Help us bring joy to children in need and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We will be again working with The Dungog Neighbourhood Centre who assists families throughout the Stroud and Dungog district. If you would like to donate to the R&R Giving Tree, unwrapped gifts can be placed under the tree up until Friday 9th December 2016.

* Due to space restrictions we have omitted our SOLD properties this month. Please visit our website or Facebook page to view these details: @R and R Property NEW Listings Wards River ~ $325,000 3 bdm brick home boasting lovely mountain views and spacious living on an approx 1/2 an acre block. Bluegum flooring. Wood fire and RC air cond. Entertaining verandah. 2 x 20,000L water tanks. Plenty of space to build a shed or garage. Property is in 2 x lots so investment opportunity exists. Karuah ~ $429,500 New 2bdm brick home. Open plan kitchen/dining & lounge area. Front deck. Attached garage. Council approved shed with accommodation - retreat or granny flat with kitchenette, bathroom + water, sewer, power & phone connected. Fully fenced 1,092m2 block. Inv opportunity w/ subdivision potential STCA. Bulahdelah ~ $475,000 This property features 6 fertile grazing acres and a 4 bdm fibro home. Front enclosed verandah. Garden shed plus a 3 bay shed. 7 paddocks, cattle yards and a race. Pasture improved with Clover, Kikuyu and Rye. 2 dams PLUS the Myall River borders the back boundary. The Perfect Hobby Farm. stroud road ~ $485,000 Beautifully presented & spacious 4bdm home on approx 2 acres. Stained glass windows, decorative fretwork, French doors, high ceilings & original floorboards. New open fire place. 9ft verandah. Timber kitchen. Wisteria lined driveway. Timber garage. 27,000L underground tank plus an 8,000L tank. Surrounded by large acreage farm. monkerai ~ $485,000 72 acres set in the beautiful surrounds of the Monkerai Valley. Sugarloaf Creek meanders through the property + 5 dams. Fenced into 4 paddocks + stock yard area. 3 bdm home with light filled open plan kitchen. Verandahs Front & Back. 2 x bay shed & 4 bay shed. 14 solar panels feeding back to the grid. Gloucester ~ $549,000 Grand old dame which is part of Gloucester’s rich history. Stunning 3 bdm weatherboard home. Once the “Roma Private Hospital”. Soaring ceilings, timber floors, open fire, white picket fence. Wide verandah is on 3 sides. Gorgeous Mountain views. Approx 1/2 an acre and fully fenced. Dble garage. Bulahdelah ~ $650,000 Approx 40 acres of beautiful country. Lovingly renovated 3 bdm home. Massive outdoor entertainment deck. Light and modern kitchen. Wood fire and RC air cond. Main bedroom with ensuite. 95% cleared and is fenced into 8 paddocks. Creek, 3 dams, steel yards, race and crush. Various types of shedding. Barrington ~ $750,000 “Swallows View”, just under 10 acres with stunning views of The Bucketts Ranges and Barrington Valley. 4 bdm, 2 bathroom, Western Red Cedar home. Wide decked verandahs. New Chef’s kitchen with Caesar Stone bench tops. 2 dams. 2 car attached garage. 5kw of solar panels. Vege gardens & fruit trees. stroud ~ $795,000 Approx 40 acres of prime pasture land with extensive Karuah River frontage. Fenced into 3 paddocks, new cattle yards, dams & creek. Dbl brick 3bdm, 2 bath home, freshly renovated throughout with modern Caesar stone kitchen. Games room & BBQ area. Dbl attached garage, timber tractor shed & large colorbond shed. Approx. 2 mins drive to main street shops.

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R & R Property T 02 4994 5766 www.randrproperty.com.au