AuthorFairfield City Museum and GalleryPublication Year2003Published byFairfield City Museum and GalleryDescriptionPublished to commemorate the unveiling of a statue at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery on 15 March 2003, The Ginger Meggs Story celebrates an extraordinary Kelpie dog affectionately known as “Meggsie.” The story was brought to light through the efforts of Bob Crosby, sculptor Kevin Buik, and several local contributors. Ginger Meggs, born in 1928 and named after the popular comic strip character, was a reddish Kelpie who quickly proved himself to be a loyal working dog and beloved family pet to the Davis family of Abbotsbury, near Bossley Park.
The heart of the story centres on a remarkable event in 1932. During an early morning sheep drive from Abbotsbury to Flemington Sale Yards, Meggsie's owner Harrie Davis was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Parramatta Road and left seriously injured. In the chaos, Meggsie remained momentarily by Harrie's side before instinct and duty took over. Alone and unaided, he herded approximately 500 sheep the rest of the way to the yards—navigating busy roads, avoiding traffic, and skilfully guiding the flock through the gates. Staff at the yards were astonished to find the sheep had arrived safely under the dog’s care.
Meggsie lived a full life as a drover, companion, and protector. After his death in 1940, he was buried on “The Devil’s Back,” a hill on the Davis family property. In the years since, the site became part of the Western Sydney Regional Park, and Meggsie's legacy was further honoured with the naming of local landmarks such as The Ginger Meggs Trail and Ginger Meggs Kennel Jump—the latter featured in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Equestrian event. The story, preserved through oral histories, newspaper reports from 1932, and the efforts of the Museum, is a testament to loyalty, intelligence, and the deep bond between humans and their dogs.Copyright Owner(s)Fairfield City CouncilAccessAccess open for research. Written permission required for personal copies and public use.
Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, The Ginger Meggs Story. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 24/09/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/6721
