Farewell to an Aussie

A horse that drinks champagne, a family of mischievous monkeys, a barrel-rolling Alsatian.....they are but a few of the delightful surprises sprung on the people of Gisborne since George Ausling, ex-roughriding champion, took over the Patutahi Hotel in 1950.

But for George, it will soon be a memory. He plans to return to his home town of Tamworth, N.S.W., to help his father on the farm.

For Gisborne folk it will be a farewell not only to George and his wife, Edith, but also to the "miniature zoo" that has become the district's most novel tourist attraction.

The horse & monkeys will be crossing the Tasman with George.

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George and Edith astride "Golden Lynx", a Palomino who drinks beer—but prefers champagne
Kandid

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Aerial picture shows pastoral setting of hotel. Ranch-style fences erected by George add colour to the scene. Monkey cage — biggest attraction for children — is at right of main building
Kandid

George was a snowy-haired youngster of 14 when he began his bronc-riding career and he was only 16 when he won his first championship. Years of hard riding on some of the toughest rodeo arenas of the world have left their scars, but broken bones and bruises never affected George's deep love of animals.

He settled into the Patutahi Hotel after a circus tour of New Zealand with Australia's top roughrider, Dance Skuthorpe.

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"Silver's" favourite trick is "rolling out the barrel". He also carries in firewood.

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Taken at Gawler, South Australia, shows George astride a turbulent steer.

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Edith, former infant mistress of Manutuke School, holds two of George's Siamese cats — recent additions to the "zoo"

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Stockwhip trick, part of George's circus repertoire, looks savage, but it's quite painless. Whip is intricately woven by hand from kangaroo hide.

Edith, who is well known in Central Hawke's Bay as an athlete and basketball player, shares her husband's enthusiasm for animals.

George "shouted" Goldie champagne when he won his first ribbons at the A. & P. Show.

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Their greatest pride is "Golden Lynx", pictured left as he leads the grand parade in the 1953 autumn carnival. He is in perfect step with the pipers behind him.

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"Bimbo" rides bare-back — & back-to-front too

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"If you think you're smart, try this," says Bimbo the monk.

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"Bambi" is a friendly deer who has lived at the hotel since he was a fawn.
George's return to Australia will mean parting with "Bambi". Both George and deer look wistful as they gaze out over pastures surrounding hotel.