THE NSW Harness Racing Club (NSWHRC) stepped back in time last Friday to commemorate the history-changing Australian Light Horse charge that occurred in the Battle of Beersheba almost 100 years ago on October 31, 1917.
Chairman Ray Sharman, directors and chief executive Bruce Christison, were honoured to receive the Governor of NSW David Hurley at the inaugural Beersheba Day Breakfast.
Official guests laid ceremonial wreaths after words from Reverend Dr John Bunyan with Australian Light Horses in attendance.
They are not the typical horses you see at Tabcorp Park Menangle these days, however, during World War I, they were the only horses at the site.
Menangle Park was then a training ground for divisions of the Australian Light Horse Infantry Regiment based at Holsworthy.
“We (NSWHRC) purchased this site in the 1950s and we’re proud to uncover the heritage and history which includes our time as a First World War makeshift army camp used to train troopers in the Australian Light Horse,” Mr Sharman said.
“Many hundreds of men and horses left these very grounds for foreign shores and today we pay tribute to their gallantry and memory – man and horse.
“I would like to mention local Menangle resident Sue Peacock – it was her passion and love of the Australian Light Horse story and our history that led her to contact our previous CEO John Dumesny.
“Her letters brought this inaugural breakfast to reality.
“Our ultimate goal in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba is to unveil a bronze cast of the Australian Light Horseman and his stead.
“Our industry is indebted to the relationship of man and horse.”
One of the guests at the breakfast was the author of “800 Horsemen”, Col Stringer, who shared stories of the Light Horse with the 150 attendees while NSWHRC community consultant Steve Wisbey added a personal touch.
“John, Susan and Bruce have been extremely supportive in creating this event,” said Wisbey.
“My great grandfather Frederick Cave Wisbey on the seventh Light Horse served at Beersheba on this day and through my role at NSWHRC I was very honoured to be able to dedicate this breakfast to his service.”
