High cattleman honor for Frank

Plaque at ‘Bennies’ a fitting, historic tribute - source: Wangaratta Chronicle

RESPECTED mountain cattleman, the late Frank Ryan, was remembered and honored last week at a special event by his relatives, friends and the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria.

A ceremony was held on the upper Rose River at the historic ‘Bennies’ near Frank Ryan’s former cattle lease.

On the Saturday, a group of people on horseback rode into the lease at the head of the Dandongadale River along the original bridle track, revisiting the lease and remembering Frank and his good mate, the late Don Kneebone.

The ride was led by Frank’s nephew, Chris Ryan, and friend Roger Smitheron.

A plaque on a rock at Bennies was unveiled on Sunday by members of Frank’s family.

It is situated beside a plaque remembering Don, so the mates are still together.

The ceremony was chaired by local bushman, Neville Wright, and tributes were paid to Frank by speakers including MCAV president, Christa Treasure, Ron Briggs, Graeme Hughes and Graeme Stoney.

A poem written by Don’s daughter Christine was read to the audience by Wendy Jubb Stoney.

Neville presented a roast dinner, hearty breakfast and lunch to the good crowd who attended.

Speaking later, Ms Treasure said mountain cattlemen would continue to push for grazing to be used widely as a management tool in both state forest and national parks.

She also announced the MCAV intended to sponsor similar heritage rides to different leases around the High Country in forthcoming years.

"We must retain for posterity the special knowledge the cattlemen have about their leases, even after cattle have been removed, and one way to do that is to have a ride into the lease and have someone connected to the country tell our riders and especially our young people all about the history," Ms Treasure said.

"At the same time we will also remember the stories of the particular cattlemen’s families who ran cattle on the country for up to 150 years."