Speeches
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Mounted book launch
Rod and I are delighted to join you today to launch “Mounted”, a collection of stories and tales of the Mounted Cadre.
In doing so, I am particularly pleased to recognise the enduring relationship between Government House and what is now the Mounted Operations Unit.
The majestic greys always add a commanding presence to the Opening of State Parliament and are immensely popular at Government House Open Days.
We were delighted to make Government House grounds available as a temporary staging post during the transition from Thebarton to Gepps Cross while awaiting the city staging facility.
And while regretting seeing the Cadre depart the grounds, it was wonderful to see them in their new, modern facility at Gepps Cross soon after you moved in.
On a more personal level, I was pleased to present Senior Sergeant First Class Kelly-Anne Taylor from the Mounted Operations Unit and police historian Max Slee, who are here today, with an Australian Police Medal in 2023 and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2024 respectively.
The horses touch us in many ways. While representing South Australia at the reinterment of the remains of Mathew Flinders at his hometown of Donington in England in 2024, I was honoured to refer to police horse Flinders.
And I’m sure like you, I was saddened to learn of the passing of police horse Vulcan last year but moved to learn that he was posthumously awarded the Australian Animal Distinguished Service award for his nearly 20-year career – the first animal outside of the Defence Force, and the first Australian police horse, to be so awarded.
Throughout our history, the police greys have been front and centre at significant points: the Vietnam War protests, the protests at the fledgling Roxby Downs mine, the Springboks tour, the tragic search for young Nicholas Bannon, missing in the Flinders Range.
As Governor I often use the opportunity – as do many others– to give the horses a pat.
I don’t think they have shrunk in stature since I first encountered a police grey as a young child, but I have of course grown. Back then they seemed so enormous while always projecting an aura of calm.
Rod and I see the horses and their riders often when we leave Adelaide Oval after football matches. They stand sentinel over the crowds crossing the Torrens footbridge, and we always wave to each other.
Friends.
Through his book, Brevet Sergeant Richard Miles weaves a tale of the development of the unit from police transport in the early days of the colony, through their ceremonial and public relations roles to a greater emphasis on active policing.
All the while, this telling of history is interlaced with personal stories and anecdotes – many humorous, at times poignant, a few sad.
The history is always told at a pace that I would describe as a canter, which carries the reader along, accompanied by some priceless photographs.
Richard expertly tells of the horses’ role in public order management, crowd dispersal and search and rescue; of how the mounted police officers are assisted by the elevated vision, and manoeuvrability of the horse; and how at times the horses’ heightened hearing and vision have assisted operations.
The care, confidence, trust and bond between rider and horse are evident through the myriad stories.
I was drawn to the 1954 photograph in the book of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II leaving Government House in a stately car, followed by a 32-horse royal escort.
While thousands turned out to see our new Queen and her Prince, I am sure many would have been awestruck by the greys that followed in formation.
I thank Richard for his research and capturing the stories that bring the story of the Mounted Cadre to life. I know Rod was pleased to be able to provide photocopies of pages from vice regal days by Lady Tennyson.
Thank you also to those who generously gave their time to share anecdotes, to those who edited and produced the book and others who provided support.
While Commissioner Stevens has suggested in the preface that some of the tales may have been embellished by time, I conclude by challenging anyone who reads the book to walk past McDonalds in Hindley Street without having a huge smile on their face.
If I may paraphrase from the book: Police Horse Emir – or Max – loved a Big Mac. One night Sergeant Noel Vears went into McDonalds leaving Max outside. Sergeant Vears was about fourth or fifth in line.
When he neared the counter, a lady customer tapped him on the shoulder and asked him: Officer, are you riding a horse?
The reply: Yes, he’s on the footpath waiting for his Big Mac.
The surprising retort: he’s three people back from you waiting in line!
And that’s just one tale of many that has been captured for posterity.
I am sure there will be many more to preserve as the new era of the Mounted Operations Unit develops from his Gepps Cross base.
It gives me immense pleasure to officially launch the book and congratulate everyone involved.