A last discussion about the murals of Collie - probably
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382412)
Rockingham, Australia
February 24, 2021 8:45pm CST
The photo shows another of the brilliant murals which adorn the walls of various buildings in Collie, Western Australia. It depicts Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. I love the silhouettes of the audience in the foreground. There isn’t much more to say about the mural but here are some extra facts about the pit ponies which were used in the coalmines in Collie.
But before I do: If you go to the discussion: https://www.mylot.com/post/3432319/the-promised-photo-of-the-mural-at-wellington-weir-western-australia and scroll down till you get to Daddy Evil’s comment, he has put up a wonderful photo of the wall taken by a drone. It’s much superior to any I’ve shown you and does justice to its scale and beauty.
Pit ponies were used in Collie from the mid-1920s to 1960. In actual fact, they were horses, often with Clydesdale or draught blood. Each had its own collar, bridle and harness, including a padded headpiece to protect its head from any low parts of the mine. Eighteen to twenty horses would work a 7 to 8 hour shift.
The horses would get to know the routine equally as well as the miners. A particular sound as a chain was attached to a skip would have the horse ready for the command to begin the pull of the skip along the mine shaft to the top.
20 people like this
19 responses
@DaddyEvil (174658)
• United States
25 Feb 21
You could have just lifted the picture and added it here, giving the same attribution I used. You're too funny! 
Oh, this mural is beautiful, too! 
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Feb 21
@DaddyEvil The feeling is reciprocated. 
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49775)
• India
25 Feb 21
The way you have described the historical significance is marvelous.
I feel as if being transported to another age and time, and is if watching a movie.
As for the mural shown, it looks like one of the best I have ever seen.
And if auctioned, this should be better than many of the Million Dollar abstract paintings.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49775)
• India
27 Feb 21
@JudyEv
Yeah interpreting a yellow color for sun and white for Moon and some wave for human joy etc etc is not my cup of tea !!
So I keep away from the Abstractions !!
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
25 Feb 21
Those murals may be rated as masterworks.It was great that the miners were replaced by Pit ponies in hauling of coal.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86830)
• United States
25 Feb 21
Oh, you don't have to stop with the murals on my account! I'm greatly enjoying the artwork!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135944)
• Marion, Ohio
26 Feb 21
@JudyEv I like them. We dont have too many here
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@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Feb 21
@wolfgirl569 There are more and more appearing in the smaller towns here.
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@RasmaSandra (98072)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Feb 21
That is a very beautiful mural I like it a lot, That is very interesting about the Clyudesdales
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
25 Feb 21
that is so cool (the mural). I am learning so much about pit ponies (horses).
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Feb 21
@DocAndersen I can't see a Shetland or other smallish pony bolting with a tonne of coal which is what Red is supposed to have done.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
26 Feb 21
@JudyEv i suspect your answer is correct. hopefully, the horses were treated well.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84837)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Feb 21
That image does sound nice.
1 person likes this
