Later when trains came to Horsham, wagons were used to cart everything to the railway station.

As well as carting wheat and wood, bullock teams were used for rolling scrub, clearing land and later, moving buildings and houses.

A bullock team was used at Riverside, on the Rethus property, to pull out old fruit trees.

In February 1884 one record load of 105 wheat bags, or about 13.5 tonnes, was hauled on one wagon by 18 small but powerful bullocks, driven by William Mitchell.

Many carriers preferred bullocks as they were cheaper to buy, could thrive on rough grass and be sold anytime for a good price.

Bullocks, in general, were quieter in nature than horses, important when precision driving was essential, especially moving large and heavy objects in tight situations or over bridges.

The bullocky had no direct contact with his team by reins as did a horse driver and commands were given with a wave of the whip.

Well-known local bullocky drivers were Martin Hickey who had a property south of Horsham, Hardinghams from East Wonwondah and William (Bill) Raggatt of Wail who carted piles for the Natimuk-Goroke railway line.

Bill married Mary, daughter of Ewen and Rachel McDonald and was still working well into his 80s, but in 1936, at the age of 89 while he was grazing his bullocks beside the railway line west of Pimpinio he was struck by a train.

Not realising Bill had died, an ambulance was sent from Horsham, when along the Western Highway, a short distance from the accident site, the vehicle blew a tyre and rolled over.

Fortunately, the people on board, Jock Balderstone (the driver), Dr G Forsyth, Nurse D Hodges from the Wimmera Base Hospital and Constable N R Nelson were not seriously injured.

Several photos of the ambulance after the accident were taken at the scene and the negatives remain in the Horsham Historical Society collection.

Bill's wife Mary died in Horsham in 1935 the year before her husband's death.

Their son Ewen Archer (Archie) was well known and one of the last bullockies in the district.