Bogong brumby plight: Bill Tilley to lead a team to muster horses to private property

Led by Member for Benambra Bill Tilley the group are planning to muster as many of the feral horses onto a private property to try and save them from being killed by Parks Victoria.

There has been an outpouring of outrage over the Federal Court decision last week which gave the state-body the green light to cull all brumbies from the alpine areas including the Bogong High Plains.

But Mr Tilley is aware finding and moving the brumbies isn't an easy task.

"We are going to try and get as many of these horses out of harm's way before too much damage is done," he told The Border Mail.

"Sadly, it might take a couple of days to get everyone organised so the shooters will have a head start.

"I think the symbolism of the high country horse runs very deep.

"These are noble creatures, they carry a rich history and are woven into the fabric of Australian folklore.

"I think people feel they have been lied to with a plan that said these horses would be re-homed, mustered and trapped and that shooting would only happen if all else fails, would only happen after consultation and engagement.

"But here we are and the court rules in Parks Victoria's favour and bang, let's start shooting."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Following Justice Michael O'Bryan's dismissal of the case by Australian Brumby Alliance on Friday, May 8, social media has been flooded with frustration and anger over the decision and is where the plight to rescue the brumbies was born.

The Rural Resistance Facebook group, led by Omeo man Phil Maguire, has begun rounding up volunteers to try and muster as many horses as they can

Mr Maguire posted to the page, which is "dedicated to the bush - its welfare and its cultural heritage", it effort to save the horses would be "difficult".

"Problem. How to get them? We'd need at least 20 horsemen for a week or 10 days maybe more," he said.

"No guarantees we'd get them all, or even a few of them. They get down on the sides in really steep rugged country and it's hard to shift them.

"But I'm happy to make an effort. This is Australia's horse heritage.

"If we get the cracks together we'll give it a go. There'll be movement at the station."

Mr Tilley said despite working towards a number of "legislative remedies", including amendments to existing legislation or the creation of new legislation, he sees the current Victorian parliament as a road block.

"The makeup of this parliament does not afford much of a chance of success," he said.

"That is not to say that the challenges nor the fight will stop.

"At this stage I'm heading up there to join some horsemen and women to see if we can't muster these horses and run them out to a property whose owner has agreed to take them on.

"Save them from being shot and preserving the bloodlines of the original genetic bloodline that dates back to World War I."

In terms of any legal implications of removing the brumbies from the national parks, Mr Tilley said it is "better to ask forgiveness than permission".

"If Parks Victoria are true to their word, then as long as they are removed from the high plains there shouldn't be any issue - should there," he said.