With arguably the best collection of horse-drawn vehicles in Australia, the Millicent National Trust Museum has recently filled a gap in its collection.
It is now the proud owner of a donated rocking horse which is at least 90-years-old.
Due to the efforts of the honorary horse-drawn vehicle collection curator Peter Foster OAM and the generosity of the Burnside City Council in suburban Adelaide, “Monty” will now delight museum-goers of all ages.
Monty the rocking horse has been on display beside the Burnside Toy Library’s entrance for over 10 years.
He was donated to the City of Burnside by the family and friends of Grove Kindergarten at Eastwood many years ago.
The prized exhibit was manufactured by F. Roebuck & Sons Rocking Horse makers, Leichardt NSW prior to 1935.
It is believed that Monty was donated to Grove Kindergarten in the 1940s by the Wark family, who originally owned the inner suburban land where the kindergarten is now situated.
When Monty first arrived at the Burnside Library, a competition was held to name him.
One of the regular users of the library also named Monty, won the competition.
“It was a stellar and inspired suggestion,” a Burnside City Council spokesperson said.
“We are so thrilled that Monty will be loved and enjoyed by a whole new audience and kept in prime condition over the years to come.”
The Millicent National Trust branch is also grateful to local truck driver Gary Hinton who transported Monty from Adelaide to his new home.
Monty arrived in Millicent a few days after two vintage horse-drawn army vehicles which are on long-term loan from the Army Museum at Keswick Barracks.
