Throughout Bendigo’s history, animals have played a fundamental role in the survival, enterprise, prosperity and pleasure of the region’s inhabitants. It is no surprise then that there exists a multiplicity of stories featuring animals.

A selection of these stories has been compiled for the upcoming exhibition. 

In the late 19th century, it was common for Bendigo citizens to have daily encounters with free-range animals, particularly goats which were perceived as a nuisance.

While frequently impounded by the city inspector, goats were also kept as pets, milked, occasionally eaten or harnessed for work and play. In his 1885 annual report to council, held at the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre, the municipal Dog, Cattle and Goat Inspector J Neal remarked having impounded 530 goats along with 77 cattle, eight horses and nine sheep.

Like any society, there were opposing views on the matter of goats in the city. Some saw them as necessary sustenance and others a nuisance. In the 1870s and 80s, Mr JFH Cartwright, of Ironbark, sent numerous letters to council highlighting the damage goats were causing to his nursery business.

The roaming goats infuriated Cartwright and many other business owners who chastised the council and in turn the inspector for not doing enough about the problem.

In contrast are the sentiments outlined in the following petition (also held at the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre) signed by 23 of Cartwright’s neighbours: “We the undersigned respectfully and humbly request that you withdraw the goat inspector from Little Ironbark and Ironbark Gully as none of the neighbours but Mr. Cartwright considers the goat a nuisance. If Mr Cartwright would repair his miserable dilapidated fence he would not be troubled with goats or dogs.” 

With the advance of the 20th century, the goat problem of the 1870s–90s seemed to dissipate.

More fences were built to contain rogue stock and stock were slowly moved out of town as the city became more built-up. As the goat problem seemed to abate, the sport of goat racing rose in popularity. In the first decade of the 20th century, it was a popular staple on the program of events at the Bendigo Easter Fair and goat races were regularly held at the Upper Reserve as well as other sites across the city. A small wooden cart with bicycle wheels was attached to the goat via a harness and a child would ride behind, often dressed in racing silks.