The Club. The Melbourne Hunt Club is the oldest continuous hunt club in Australia. It was first established by George Watson in 1853. It continues to this day to provide members with an excellent opportunity to ride and hunt behind one of the best and oldest established packs in Australia.

The Members. We have riding and non-riding members of all ages, from the very young junior members to the more senior members who are still actively involved in the club but are no longer able to ride. The club is well suited to families who enjoy riding together. We also have members at various levels of riding and we like to encourage members and non members to attend our training days and non-jumping hunts.

The Foxhounds. Melbourne Hunt has approximately 50 old english foxhounds (25 couples) kennelled at Pakenham. The first Melbourne Hunt hounds were imported from County Carlow in Ireland Our pack is descended from these imports. Melbourne hunt has always maintained a park since 1853, which was no mean feat to maintain during two world wars and the great depression. It is a great credit to the people in charge at the time that Melbournes pack was never disbaned.

The Country. We hunt across some of the finest country in Gippsland, mainly around the Tarwin Lower and Rosedale areas. We hunt across private property at the invitation of the landowners between May and August each year. The Melbourne Hunt has a strong focus on fox hunting traditions and adheres strongly to the Code of Rules for Foxhunting as approved by the Hunt Clubs Association of Victoria. The hunting season is from May to August each year.

The Clothes. Out of respect to the landowners and Joint Masters, we ask riders to present themselves and their horses as well turned out possible. Traditional hunt attire is outlined in the following section for new riders to our club: Gentlemen’s Attire Black or tweed coat, buff breeches, current approved hunting helmet, black leather boots, white hunting tie (stock) with plain gold pin, white or buff string gloves or brown leather gloves (optional). Hunting whip with thong and lash. Spurs. Ladies’ Attire Black, dark blue or tweed coat, buff breeches, current approved hunting helmet, black leather boots, white hunting tie (stock) with plain gold pin, white or buff string gloves or brown leather gloves (optional). Hunting whip with thong and lash. Spurs. Juniors’ Attire Tweed or black coat, current approved hunting helmet, white hunting tie (stock) with plain gold pin, white or buff string gloves or brown leather gloves (optional). Buff jodhpurs and leather jodhpurs boots. Hunting whip with thong and lash. Spurs. Horse Your horse should be brushed and clean with no paddock mud on the body or legs. As most horses have long winter coats, they should be clipped out and tidy; with either a full hunt clip or trace clip. Tails should be washed, trimmed, combed and brushed. Hooves should be picked out and dressed. Horses should be fit to carry you for a day’s hunting. Tack All tack must be clean and tidy with no loose flapping straps. Place all straps in their keepers. Plastic tack is not correct in the hunting field. Martingales and breast plates should be correctly adjusted. Badly adjusted gear interferes with the horse when jumping.

Jumping. All our hunting country is well panelled to give the horse and rider an excellent opportunity to jump hunting panels between 700 to 900 cm in height. Many of our hunts allow riders to use gates if they choose not to jump. Car Followers With the permission of the landowners and the Joint Masters, some of our members and supporters may follow the hunts by car. Please always check with the Joint Masters before entering a landowner’s property.

Activities We offer our members a range of activities including: Weekly hunts during the season May to August Mid-week hunts during the season Hunting and riding weekends away Hunter training days Hunter show Hunt ball Hound show Invitation hunts with other hunt clubs Cocktail parties Wine tastings Scottish night (in 2010) Monthly social meetings