This morning I inspected the Moss Vale Saleyards 
(www://mossvalesaleyards.info/index.asp) that is located near Moss Vale 
in the Southern Highlands of NSW. It is owned by the local government 
authority and operated by an unincorporated body, essentially a 
committee of Council with support by local stock and station agents. I 
witnessed part of an auction of 1400 head of cattle that is typical of 
the type conducted every Wednesday. I have some experience of stock 
auctions, but the uninitiated would probably not really understand what 
is happening, except seeing individual bulls, bullocks or cows - 
sometimes groups - being paraded into and out of a well fenced ring with 
much of the auction process being made by a group of livestock agents 
seated at desks at the front of tiered seating, much like a lecture 
theatre. Bids were made mainly by hand signals with the auctioneer 
mumbling something. The tiered seating was occupied by  owners and 
visitors. In other words it is very hard to follow the process, because 
it moves so quickly. It took only about 25-30 seconds to complete bids 
for one sale.

With my background in the planning and operation of museums and 
historical parks, I have been invited to provide some ideas about the 
possibility of introducing an education interpretative program that 
might be of interest to primary and secondary schools; and special 
interest groups.

While I do have several ideas for an education program, I thought I 
should  tap this magnificent resource. Are there any museums actually 
based on the activities of saleyards and/or cattle auctions? Has anyone 
taken a school/college group to a saleyard? If so, I should like to hear 
from them. Please reply via the discussion group or direct to me.

Thanks in anticipation.

Desmond Kennard
Museums in the making
HILL TOP, NSW

Ph 612 4889 8662

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