Mr Alexander George Hunter

Seventy years have passed since the death of Alexander George Hunter, but his passion, drive, and commitment continue to shape the agricultural and sporting sectors today.

A dedicated committee man, Hunter was president of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, chairman of the Victorian Trotting Control Board, a member of the Victorian Racing Club Committee, and a renowned cattle breeder and studmaster.

Hunter is credited with the revival of the sport of trotting in Victoria during the 1940s, after it had slowly begun to wane. Today his memory lives on through the A.G. Hunter Cup, Victoria’s premier harness race since its 1949 inception.

A steadfast exhibitor of Red Poll cattle at the Melbourne Royal Show, an excerpt from the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria published in the Australian Farm and Home on October 20, 1931 describes Hunter’s entry in the annual competition for a pair of Red Poll Steers under 36 months suitable for beef export trade.

“The Northwood Park pair from Mr A.G Hunter, a great Red Poll enthusiast, took the eighth position, being a nice even pair, weighing 1926 and 1232lbs. alive and 777 and 697lbs. on the hooks.”

Not only a familiar face in the cattle ring, Hunter helped further the Melbourne Royal Show across many sectors. The same article credits him with securing suitable steers for the first Steer Riding Competition in 1931, a crowd favourite. Hunter offered to assist with the competition the following year by sourcing agistment for the steers at a cost of less than £1 a week.

Alexander George Hunter passed away on his beloved Seymour property in 1953 at the age of 63. 

Alexander George Hunter was president of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, and chairman of the Victorian Trotting Control Board. Credit: nationaltrotguide.com.au

Alexander George Hunter’s stud cattle were advertised in the Australian Farm and Home in 1931. Credit: nla.gov.au