Item MM 111166 Digital Photograph - Holden Brothers Circus, Indigenous 'Buck Jumper' Riding Rearing Horse, 1900-1910

Description of Content

An Indigenous man riding a rearing horse by a wooden fence. This photograph shows 'Combo' George, a Holden Brothers Circus show hand and horse handler, circa 1900 - 1910. Melba Ryan remembers: 'He is dressed as a buck-jumper, 'cowboy' inspired shirt and moleskins.' This photograph was taken circa 1910, well before Melba was born. She is not sure that he was a performer, but she is only going on stories she was told. ''Combo' was his nickname, because he did everything. You took whoever wanted to come along to the circus. Most circuses employed Aboriginal men at this time, it wouldn't have been unusual to have them working with you.' The location is unknown.