Horses as an integral part of the fabric of early Norfolk Island life

Horses as an integral part of the fabric of early Norfolk Island life -

 How can we put ourselves into the shoes of 104 children under the age of 16, seeing, for the very first time, four-legged creatures on rugged hillsides? 

They had never seen a horse before, let alone ridden one. 

It was in 1856 that our community of 194 people arrived here in Norfolk Island, a tiny isolated isle, after a sea passage from Pitcairn Island, westward across the Pacific Ocean. 

Upon landing, they inherited a unique and challenging environment, including a pre-existing structural penal settlement that had recently been vacated. 

This included a population of horses, creatures that were completely unfamiliar to this newly arrived community.

The children, with their unadulterated curiosity, must have been mesmerized by the sight of these unfamiliar creatures. The horses, with their powerful legs, long necks, and flowing manes, would have seemed almost mythical. This was their first encounter with something that transcended their existing knowledge, igniting a spark of wonder and perhaps a touch of fear.

And henceforth, the horses gradually became an integral part of the fabric of Norfolk Island life. They were no longer just foreign creatures; they were a vital resource, companions, a symbol of progress, and a testament to the islanders’ resilience and adaptability to create a new life in this unfamiliar land and rugged terrain. 

In 1902, A.B. ‘Banjo” Paterson visited the island and wrote;
“The Norfolk Island horses... are not like any other kind of horse that the world has ever seen. They began by being draught horses, but a mountaineering existence has altered their shape altogether and has given them many of the characteristics of the chamois. They can feed on the perpendicular faces of the hills without falling into the sea! Their heads are large and hairy with Roman noses and large upper lips – like rudimentary elephant trunks. Perhaps this development arises from having to root among short grasses for a living. They look like spring cart horses but move with activity – and a good deal of action – of a kangaroo. They are hardy useful animals, with plenty of strength. Style they have not, nor beauty, nor pace, but just plain homely worth.”

When you visit the island, you are invited to participate in a game of golf on the golf course which historically served as a race track. 

Today, our Golf Course location is now acknowledged as being part of the historical KAVHA (Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area). It is one of the oldest of eleven penal sites around Australia that have been classed as World Heritage Sites. 

The golfing experience on Norfolk Island is incredibly unique for a bucket list! 

Thanks so much for joining me this week!

Ft. 1957 recording of the Norf'k language, a conversation with the late Puss Anderson and Ruth McCoy, a discussion with the late Ralph Holloway and Ron Nobbs, a music recording with Shane McCoy and the Nightriders and George 'Toofie' Christian's song: 'Bridle Track'.

Untold Norfolk Island Travel Podcast Series - Sponsored by Baunti Tours www.bauntitours.com

Transcript

Horses as an integral part of the fabric of early Norfolk Island life

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

>>Audio - That was a short audio segment of the song ‘Heartaches’ as sung by Norfolk Islander Shane McCoy and the Nightriders at an Up Country event.

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How can we put ourselves into the shoes of 104 children under the age of 16, seeing, for the very first time, four-legged creatures on rugged hillsides?

They had never seen a horse before, let alone ridden one.

It was in 1856 that our community of 194 people arrived here in Norfolk Island, a tiny isolated isle, after a sea passage from Pitcairn Island, westward across the Pacific Ocean.

Upon landing, they inherited a unique and challenging environment, including a pre-existing structural penal settlement that had recently been vacated.

This included a population of horses, creatures that were completely unfamiliar to this newly arrived community.

The children, with their unadulterated curiosity, must have been mesmerized by the sight of these unfamiliar creatures. The horses, with their powerful legs, long necks, and flowing manes, would have seemed almost mythical. This was their first encounter with something that transcended their existing knowledge, igniting a spark of wonder and perhaps a touch of fear.

And henceforth, the horses gradually became an integral part of the fabric of Norfolk Island life. They were no longer just foreign creatures; they were a vital resource, companions, a symbol of progress, and a testament to the islanders’ resilience and adaptability to create a new life in this unfamiliar land and rugged terrain.
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>> AUDIO: Listen to a snippet of a 1957 recording captured by linguist, Elwyn Flint - this is a conversation between Charlie Peter Buffett and Granny Quintal.

To highlight a couple of those Norf’k words you’ve just heard: - ‘uma-oola’ translates as ‘clumsy’ and a ‘yollo’ is a small rectangular piece of volcanic rock as brought from Pitcairn Island. It is our traditional grater, and if you are lucky enough to have one passed down through your family, it is a treasured keepsake. For visitors, you’ll be able to view one of these at our local museums when you’re on the island.

So this first snippet included Charlie describing his horse as ‘uma-oola’ and ‘rough as a yollo’… so together that means, his horse was clumsy and about as rough as our traditional grater!! He goes on to describe a prank played, whereby someone filled his saddle with pine-pitch so that at dusk when he went to leave a family gathering, and jumped into his saddle without looking, he became ’stuck’ ie. ‘he pilly’… and you’ll also perhaps pick up from this tiny oral recording all of the laughter… Our Norf’k language has been called the ‘language of laughter’.

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Beyond the initial awe, the practicality of the horse quickly became apparent. This community, accustomed to a life of resilience and resourcefulness, recognized the potential benefits of these animals. The horses provided a much-needed source of strength and mobility, enabling our community to cultivate crops, transport goods to and fro in buggys, and travel more efficiently around the island.

Riding a horse offered a unique way to explore the island, particularly for the children as they enjoyed the freedom of the open countryside, and experienced the thrill of riding a creature with such power and grace. This way of life was filled with possibilities and adventures as the children learned to ride, to care for the horses, and to understand their unique natures. They witnessed firsthand the strength and intelligence of these animals, forging a unique bond that would influence their lives in countless ways. The experience of learning to ride, with its inherent challenges and rewards, instilled a sense of responsibility, independence, and confidence.

>> AUDIO: Have a listen to a discussion between the late Puss Anderson and Ruth McCoy as they speak about their experiences with horses growing up on the island:
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The following historical information was shared with me by Ron Nobbs - and it is with much appreciation to him:

A decade after the arrival of the Pitcairners, following a grant of land a Melanesian Mission was established on Norfolk Island with over 1,000 acres allocated for a training school. This colossal sized area was to be maintained solely by hand. The decision to import work horses for the Mission was a sensible and viable move, which saw the first thoroughbred, stallion ‘Billy’ from New Zealand settle his hooves upon our shores. ‘Billy’ not only ‘worked’ but was also instrumental in improving the island’s bloodlines. Other horses were imported and the herd became commonly known as the ‘Mission horses’.

In 1902, A.B. ‘Banjo” Paterson visited the island and wrote;
“The Norfolk Island horses... are not like any other kind of horse that the world has ever seen. They began by being draught horses, but a mountaineering existence has altered their shape altogether and has given them many of the characteristics of the chamois. They can feed on the perpendicular faces of the hills without falling into the sea! Their heads are large and hairy with Roman noses and large upper lips – like rudimentary elephant trunks. Perhaps this development arises from having to root among short grasses for a living. They look like spring cart horses but move with activity – and a good deal of action – of a kangaroo. They are hardy useful animals, with plenty of strength. Style they have not, nor beauty, nor pace, but just plain homely worth.”

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But it wasn’t all work and no play..

Traditions are often introduced, just for fun.... and sometimes they are determined across a particular era, and then for whatever reason, they end.
Our horse racing events was one of those traditions, which has now passed.

AUDIO >> In 2016, Ron Nobbs and Ralph Holloway discussed the various venues on the island where the horse racing events were held.

Following World War I, horse races were held in Charlie Rossiter’s Paddock at Ferny Lane. Fences were communally dropped by landowners in support of the racing fever.

In 1930, the races moved to CCR Nobbs paddock opposite Moira.

In World War II, New Zealand forces were garrisoned on the island and in recreation time a ‘Kia Ora’ race meeting was held in 1943. A new aerodrome now dominated the previous race tracks and so racing events were moved to Point Hunter Reserve in Kingston.

This area was principally used as the island’s golf course and was known as a “common area” whereby livestock (including cattle) were permitted to roam freely.

What this effectively meant was that each course-hole-green was surrounded by a protective fence to keep livestock out, but the rest of the fairways were pitted with ‘compost deposits’. In September 1986, the livestock were formally removed.

But now for a time, horses were permitted twice a year to mar the immaculate golfing experience into a temporarily patterned, circular, hoof-impacted, track thoroughfare!

Marie Bailey shares in her A-Z Guide to Norfolk 1986 edition:

Usually there are two horse racing days a year on the island - at New Year and at Easter. The course is laid out around the northern half of the golf course. It’s a very sociable island event.
To avoid some of the vices that are thought to be associated with racing in other parts of the world, betting on Norfolk is done via the “Equalisator”. This means that you can bet as much as you want to gamble on each race, but you don’t have any say in what horse you are backing. You just get the tickets, and if some of them are on the winning horse, you win.

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From my own childhood experience attending the races, it was a day much anticipated. For me, I would always be astounded by my father, Kevin Williams’ voice as he was a commentator with the assistance of Wes Cooper as the official race caller for the race events. His normal speaking voice transformed into the sound of … (mimic)… I wish I had a recording of it now!

He shared with me - and I quote: Race calling was fun and challenging, as instead of trying to remember the horses numbers it was much easier to recognize who the runner was by the familiar jockey on it!

I recall and can completely relate to that childhood memory as I was a devoted cheerleader for my Uncle, Allen Bataille. He was one of the jockeys in the New Year’s Day and Easter Monday annual horse racing events as hosted by our Norfolk Island RSL Club at Kingston.

I would watched from the sidelines of the golf course, balling out ‘GO Uncle’…until I was ‘hoarse’ and it wasn’t until a visitor standing alongside me, asked politely ‘now which horse is ‘Uncle’’?

AUDIO: >> We’ll now listen to a couple of verses from ‘The Bridle Track’ as composed and sung by Norfolk Islander, guitarist and singer/songwriter, George ‘Toofie’ Christian.

The legacy of memories of Norfolk Island's horses lives on today. While cars and trucks have replaced horses as the primary means of transportation, the island's residents still hold precious memories and a deep appreciation for these magnificent animals. They are a reminder of the island's rich heritage and the resourcefulness of its people.

When you visit the island, you are invited to participate in a game of golf on the golf course which historically served as a race track.

Today, our Golf Course location is now acknowledged as being part of the historical KAVHA (Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area). It is one of the oldest of eleven penal sites around Australia that have been classed as World Heritage Sites.

The golfing experience on Norfolk Island is incredibly unique for a bucket list!

It’s a wonderful historic experience, and if you ask the locals after a game of golf about other uses of the courseway, they just may share some of their horse-racing memories and tall stories! Use your intuition and watch for a slight smile to guage the tall-ness of the memory recall!!

Thanks so much for joining me this week!