”’The Findon Harriers”’ were founded by Edward Miller in 1872. The pack was first housed at Findon, the Miller family’s home at Kew, hence their name. They were kennelled there for several years until Kew residents complained, presumably about their barking, so they were removed to Alphington. In the early 1890s, they were transferred to the Miller’s property at Mill Park, their kennels being near the former Presbyterian Church on Plenty Road.
Edward Miller was master of the Findon Harriers for its first 20 years. He was then succeeded by his brother Septimus, who resigned in 1893 in favour of his nephew Hubert Miller, his brother Albert’s son. Hubert remained as master until 1930 when he was killed in a fall at Woodstock while leading the Findon Harriers in a hunt. In 1898 the Findon Harriers had been converted from a private pack, owned by Albert Miller, to a subscription one owned by members and run by a committee of management.
The Findon Harriers hunted all over the City of Whittlesea and areas further afield such as Sunbury and Rockbank. The hunting season lasted from May to September. Members and visitors travelled by special trains from the city, bringing their horses with them, attended by grooms. Trains usually stopped at Thomastown, Epping and even Mill Park, where the Miller’s had a platform built near today’s Westfield Shopping Centre. On arrival, the passengers were met by the red-coated head huntsman, who brought the hounds from Mill Park to meet them. A large number of local farmers, with their own jumpers of varying breeds, were also welcomed to the hunt. Hares and foxes were the main animals hunted but occasionally a deer was brought and released.
Lord Hopetoun, Governor of Victoria from 1889-95, hunted regularly with the Findon Harriers and again when he returned to Australia in 1900 as Australia’s first Governor-General. He travelled to and from the hunts in a special vice-regal railway carriage. His wife was also a fine horsewoman, as were many of the ladies, who in early days all rode side-saddle in their long skirts.
For many years, the Findon Harriers Hunt Club also held an annual race meeting at Moonee Valley and point-to-point meetings at various properties in the City of Whittlesea, including the old Bournefield training track at Wollert. When the Miller family finally sold Mill Park in 1939, the hounds were moved to Woodstock, where they remain today. Hunts are now held outside the City of Whittlesea.
by Robert Wuchatsch (Local Historian)
Photo: Findon Harriers Hunt Club FTP00664 Fay Thomas Collection, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
