Protestors Brave Cold to Mark 22 Weeks as RSPCA Executes Warrant at Mount Eliza

The rain and cold did little to deter protestors who gathered outside Maxine Fraser’s Mount Eliza property on Sunday, 21 September, marking the 22nd consecutive week of demonstrations over alleged horse neglect.

This week’s protest came just days after the RSPCA Victoria executed a warrant at the property, collecting evidence as part of its long-running investigation. It is the first time inspectors have taken formal action following months of mounting community and political pressure.

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Watch & Listen | Carly Wines Interview

STPL News was on the ground at the 22nd week of protests. Hear our full interview with protest organiser Carly Wines, with audio from the scene and images taken on the day.

“We’re making a huge contribution”

Speaking to STPL News on the ground, protest organiser Carly Wines said the group’s persistence has played a critical role in pushing authorities to act.

“They’ve executed a warrant to search and collect some evidence at the property on Thursday, which was fantastic to see,” Wines said. “This is all we’ve been pushing for — for them to do a deeper level of investigation into what goes on here.”

Wines stressed that without the weekly protests, it was unlikely the RSPCA would have escalated its investigation.

“I feel like we’re making a huge contribution to their efforts. We know that the community are backing us and we are backing the animals here. Without this, it would be a lot harder for them to move forward on getting some action for the animals.”

Missing horses and unanswered questions

Wines also raised concerns about a lack of transparency regarding the condition and whereabouts of some animals.

“We’ve got a number of horses missing at the moment. At times we see three or four come out that we haven’t seen for weeks. It’s really frustrating to not have full transparency over where they are or what happens to them when they go missing,” she said.

In recent months, protestors have reported finding deceased horses on the property and raised alarms about alleged burn pits. “When you think of all the animals that have passed away here in silence and without a face, it’s disgusting to think that it’s been allowed to go on,” Wines added.

Read: Rotting Horse Discovered as Mt Eliza Protests Enter Week 14

Clarifying confusion

Despite rumours circulating online, Wines confirmed that no animals were seized during the warrant execution.

“The police helped the RSPCA come onto the property to retrieve whatever they needed, but there were no floats, no trucks, no animals have left the property. I can absolutely 150% confirm that,” she said.

Community spirit grows

What began as a small protest in early 2024 has since grown into a movement that attracts new faces each week.

“You just need a shred of decency when you look at these photos to know this isn’t right,” Wines told STPL News. “You don’t need to be a horse person, a dog person or a goat person — you just need to be a person with compassion.”

Wines also emphasised the efforts of those working quietly behind the scenes. “It’s not just myself. There are so many people involved in documenting, supporting and keeping this movement alive. They are the biggest supporters.”

A turning point, but not the end

With the RSPCA finally executing a warrant and evidence now collected, protestors say their persistence has begun to pay off.

“It has been a long time coming, but it was very pleasing to see that they did get here and do what they needed to do,” Wines said.

Yet protestors are clear: the campaign is not over until the horses and animals are rescued. Community members say they will be back again next Sunday — and the Sunday after that, and the Sunday after that — until every animal has been saved.

STPL News was here at the first protest and has returned many times since. We will continue to cover this story as it develops.