2018 marks 50 years since Lyle worked at Brunette Downs Station, NT.
To “celebrate” he and Helen visited the yards, where in 1968, workers spent several months camping out; mustering the cattle and bringing them to these yards.
The photo Lyle took back then shows workers using the bronco rail to brand and process the cattle. Bronco branding was the method used at Brunette Downs in the 1960’s. Note the photo of bronco collars on the wire rail – the same rail 50 years on is pictured above!
The photo of Billy Cochrane ready to mount his horse was also taken at these yards and was used as a feature photo in some of our early Kent Saddlery catalogues.
Lyle describes Billy as “a very smart stockman.”
Reflecting on the state of the yards Lyle is thankful that He remains upright!!
50 years ago Lyle had a room in the same ringers quarters seen on the left of this photo. He didn’t sleep there often … workers camped out bush most of the time and would come to the station briefly on a Saturday evening to wash clothes (no socks- no jocks!) have a shower and watch a movie on an outdoor screen. Back out bush early next morning!
