Historical information

VMR Heritage Troop was a very public face of the regiment during the 1980s and early 1990s. It conducted one royal escort, several vice-regal escorts and numerous VIP escorts in the border, north-east and wider Victorian locations.
The royal duty was at the opening of Hopkins Barracks, Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles accompanied by HRH Princess Diana, 31 October 1985.
Major General Kevin Cooke GOC 3rd Division authorised the establishment of the troop in February 1980. Captain (later Major) Robert Morrison was the troop leader and the driving force behind the concept seeing potential where others did not.
The troop was made up mainly by serving members of 8/13 but did include some civilian members. Training and advice came from former light horsemen: Des Martin (8LH), Norm Whitehead (21LH), Bob Fyffe (20LH) and Fred Trickey (Riding Master RMC).
This was an example of the troop engaging in a community activity.

Physical description

Colour photograph of street scene in the Victorian town of Dimboola, June 1986. It was a set for shooting an episode of a TV series "Flying Doctors" and included a cameo appearance of a section of four light horsemen from the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Heritage Troop. Horsemen were Corporals S Walch, A Florent, N Morris and Trooper C Ellison. Photo is glued to a fluted plastic card.