The State Horse Drawn Collection, a hidden gem

The Millicent National Trust Museum, formed in 1965, houses what is regarded as Australia’s finest horse-drawn vehicle (HDV) collection – holding some 90+ restored and conserved items. The collection has its roots in 1955 due to 3 visionary collectors determined to save the final vestiges of the previous all-encompassing transport system. Joining the Millicent NT branch in 1987, Peter Foster became the Honorary Curator in 1990, due to his love of HDVs and his accumulated ‘hands on’ restoration skills, including coach painting, trimming, period painting, sign writing and wheelwrighting.

For over 40 years, Peter has dedicated his life and labours to researching, and authentically restoring and conserving a broad range of HDV types and associated items. He published the book ‘Coaches, Carriages and Carts, HDV in Australia’ in 2011. He was awarded an OAM in 2020 for his services to community history. His presentation will highlight some of the finest and interesting vehicles in the Millicent Collection and the stories behind them.