MOUNT ELIZA — For the sixth consecutive weekend, a determined group of community members gathered outside Maxine Fraser’s property to protest what they allege is prolonged animal neglect involving horses in her care.
On Sunday 1 June, between 40 to 50 protesters stood together — many of them strangers just weeks ago, now united in their fight for animal welfare. With the weather on their side, the protest drew supportive honks from passing vehicles as demonstrators held signs and called for action.
“This is not a witch hunt,” said one protester.
“We’re a group of everyday people giving up our weekends because the system keeps failing these animals.”
The group has been protesting weekly since April, frustrated by what they say is more than a decade of inaction from authorities. Multiple past interventions by the RSPCA have reportedly failed to bring lasting change.
Despite weeks of sustained pressure, Fraser has not responded to repeated interview requests from STPL News. While she has left multiple messages with our reception requsting to speak, she has ultimatly rejected any call back attempt, nor she has not returned follow-up calls. Protesters claim that although some positive signs are emerging — including regular feeding and partial cleanup of enclosures — the changes are driven by public scrutiny, not accountability.
“The horses are improving,” one protester said, “but that’s only because people are standing out here every week keeping the pressure on.”
Concerns continue to mount. A deceased goat remains unattended in a paddock, and neighbouring residents have reported suspicious fires and odours in recent weeks— some fearing the worst. These reports follow earlier complaints about dead horses allegedly being buried or burned on the property, which adjoins public sporting grounds.
In parallel with the protests, Tracey Asquith has lodged parliamentary petitions in both houses of Victorian Parliament. Her efforts have gained cross-party support, with Georgie Purcell MP of the Animal Justice Party and Paul Mercurio MP, Labor member for Hastings, both sponsoring the initiative.
The petitions call for stronger enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and for the state government to intervene in longstanding cases of suspected neglect.
As the pressure builds, protesters say they have no plans to stop until meaningful action is taken.
“We’re not letting up,” one said. “If we don’t speak for the animals, who will?”
STPL News will continue to monitor developments in this unfolding welfare case.
Thank you Jay for your continued support by reporting what is happening. Those animals cannot ask for help, so we must be their voices.