Today was a public holiday in the Northern Territory and there was a parade through Todd Mall...The 55th Bangtail Muster. Originally this was a celebration of the end of the muster which enabled a count of cattle (especially those not previously counted) and treatment. As each beast was counted, a straight cut was made across the tuft on the end of their tail to prevent double counting (hence the name). Much of the count is now carried out automatically through the use of trap yards around water. The cattle enter through one-way gates to access the water, enabling a count to be carried out with out the need to muster.
Today the parade is a showcase for all sorts of community groups, providing an interesting cross-section of life in this isolated desert town.
Nepotism Alert: one of the parade participants was a family member. Maybe, even, a great nephew.
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