Ern McQuillan was one of Australia’s greatest ever sports photographers, and his work will live for generations to enjoy.He’s now 91, and living in retirement on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Some years ago Ern gave me quite a number of photos he felt would interest me, and I’d like to share some of them with you from time to time.
This classic was taken in the Randwick stables of trainer Neil McKenna in 1952. The veteran horseman was born in 1874, making him 78 the day Ern McQuillan snapped this picture.
Neil learned about horses when,he worked on a Cobb & Co coach at age 11. He received ten shillings a week, and his job was to feed and care for the coach horses during arduous journeys.
Here’s Neil with a tiny apprentice called Billy Harris, who’s listening intently as the boss draws his attention to the signboard listing stable rules. Those rules clearly define the kind of discipline youngsters were taught, in those immediate post war years. The rule at the bottom of the board stipulates that lights must be turned off. They tried to save power way back then. Nothing’s changed!
Neil McKenna died in 1969 at the age of 95. His son Albert also enjoyed great success as a trainer.
If still alive, little Billy Harris would be in his 80’s. If he’s still with us, somebody might get to show him Ern McQuillan’s photo from his boyhood.