Mentone in Kingston, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Garryowen
Horse Drinking Trough
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 19, 2026
1. Garryowen Marker
It is a memorial to Violet and Bill Murrell who, on 24th March 1934, in a vain attempt to save two horses, ran into burning stables in Latrobe Street. The Murrells died later from extensive burns.
One of the horses that perished was Garryowen, Violet's champion show-jumper. She had become Victoria's top equestrienne riding Garryowen, winning many events at the Royal Melbourne Show and elsewhere.
Bill, a successful steeplechase jockey, was also a trainer and he encouraged Violet in her quest to have the ban on women riding at city meetings removed.
At the 1934 Melbourne Show the Garryowen equestrienne trophy was introduced by the Royal Victorian Agricultural Society and has continued as an annual tribute to the heroism of the Murrells.
Erected by City of Kingston.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Disasters • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 24, 1934.
Location. 37° 58.915′ S, 145° 3.901′ E. Marker is in Mentone, Victoria, in Kingston. It
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Murrell Memorial Horse Trough (here, next to this marker); Mentone Railway Station and Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Mentone Railway Station (a few steps from this marker); Tom Roberts (approx. 3.3 kilometers away); Ricketts Point (approx. 3.3 kilometers away); Boon Wurrung Blossom (approx. 3.3 kilometers away); The Grange (approx. 7.1 kilometers away); Flying Saucer Sighting (approx. 7.1 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mentone.
Also see . . . Garryowen Trophy. Melbourne Royal
Mrs Violet Murrell of Melbourne,(Submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)was a heroine who died trying to save her horses when the racing stables burned. The reason for her rescue attempt was twofold; she was both trying to retrieve an asset and was rescuing an animal from its agony.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 19, 20262. Garryowen Marker Side View
The heart of the racing world in Melbourne went out to Murrell and trainers, jockeys, and stable-boys came in crowds to her funeral. 'In the racing stables, in truth, the horse and the man are part of each other; and Mrs Murrell's name, with the manner of her death, will live as a tradition in the fraternity of men and horses to which she belonged'. (Sun, Sydney, Sunday 1 April 1934, p. 4)
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 19, 2026
3. Garryowen Marker in front on the old Meltone Railway Station Building
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
