Riders give Riley a stirring tribute

Planning for a plaque on the site of Jack Riley’s hut in the Kosciuszko National Park near Tom Groggin Station began 12 months ago.

Riley lived at the station from 1884 until his death in 1914. The hut burnt down in 1939.

He is considered by many as the likely inspiration for the Banjo Paterson poem The Man from Snowy River.

The unveiling of the plaque coincides with this week’s popular Man From Snowy River Bush Festival in Corryong that runs from tomorrow until Sunday.

Riley’s Ride is a four-day trial ride commemorating the life of Riley and, in paricular, his last journey on horseback.

Many names have been suggested as the inspiration for Paterson’s poem.

“My count is 18, and they’re all valid,” Richard Hubbard, from the Man From Snowy River Tourist Association, said.

“They’re all excellent horseman and they’ve all got a case, but Jack Riley’s the only one who met Banjo Paterson.”

Riley was a hermit stockman employed by John Pearce of Greg Greg Station at Corryong to run cattle at Tom Groggin, about 60 kilometres upstream from Khancoban.

Mr Hubbard said the hut was built for Riley by Pearce, who owned both stations.

“Jack had trouble living with some of the other workers up there so he was going to quit,” he said.

Riley agreed to stay when Pearce offered to build him a hut of his own, the site chosen for the rock on which the plaque has been placed.

Mr Hubbard said a 1906 photograph of Riley in front of the hut was used to help place the plaque, an association initiative that received widespread community support.

“We’ve matched it with the mountains behind so we definitely know we’re in the right place,” he said.

“It’s a historic site and I think the Man from Snowy River is definitely part of Australia’s heritage.

“In Corryong we have a lot of people call on the grave and source information about him. This gives them another destination.”

About 200 people attended the unveiling.