On February 3, 1932, nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther packed his bags and left for Sydney.
Accompanying him on this journey was his horse Ginger Mick, who was also nine years old.
Lennie and Ginger Mick.
Photo:Wikimedia
Lennie Gwyther was born in April 1922.
Both shared the same birthday and were inseparable.
Ginger Mick also ran on races and won many at Leongatha, Foster and Yarram.
In 1931, Lennies father fell heavily from his tractor and broke his leg.
While Lennies father lay at home healing, Lennie ploughed the fields and sowed the seeds.
Lennies father was pleased and he asked his son how he would like to be rewarded.
Lennie answered that he wanted to see the opening of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
The route of Lennie Gwythers journey.
A map was purchased and a route was planned.
It was decided that Lennie would stay with friends and family of his parents along the way.
The plan was to travel 25 to 30 kilometers per day, weather permitting.
Ginger Mick was also prepared for the upcoming journey.
Lennie Gwyther arrives in Sydney.
On his back was a backpack which contained his pyjamas, a toothbrush, and changes of clothing.
A water bottle slung over the saddle, and a watch on a chain hung around his neck.
Lennie and Ginger Mick rode along bush tracks and dirt roads, through bush fires and heavy rains.
Lennie and his father travelled together, sometimes joined by other travelers and school children.
Lennie chatted with his new friends as he rode.
At Bombala, Lennie and his father received a grand welcome from the mayor.
Afterwards they were taken to the local public school where they addressed the children.
He also met Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs, and other dignitaries.
Arriving In Sydney, Lennie and Ginger Mick were mobbed by the public and the press.
Some souvenir-hunters even tried to pluck hairs from the tail of Ginger Mick.
The next day, The Sun newspaper took Lennie on a sightseeing tour across Sydney.
Lennie in the opening parade during the opening of the Sydney Bridge.
Photo:Wikimedia
The original plan was for Lennie and Ginger Mick to return to Melbourne by ship.
Lennies father arrived in Sydney to supervise the loading of Ginger Mick onto the ship.
Lennie stayed in Sydney for more than a month taking part in parades and meeting new people.
On April 11, Lennie started his journey back home.
Along the way, he celebrated his tenth birthday.
Forty-seven days after leaving Sydney, Lennie and Ginger Mick walked into their hometown Leongatha.
They were welcomed by over 800 cheering and waving people.
Later Life
Lennie enlisted in the army for World War II at the age of 19.
He died in 1992, at the age of 70.
Ginger Mick lived to the age of 27 and was buried on the Gwyther farm.
In 2017, Leongatha unveiled a statue commemorating Lennie and Ginger Mick’s journey.
Statue of Lennie and Ginger Mick in the Australian town of Leongatha.
