Victor Harbor Horse-Drawn Tram's Albert remembered as gentle giant

A beloved member of the Victor Harbor Horse-Drawn Tram team has died after a short illness. Albert, an 18-year-old Clydesdale, became unwell on Friday and passed away on Saturday morning.

Albert had been part of the tramway team for 13 years, serving as one of the horses that pull the historic tram from Victor Harbor to Granite Island. At 17.3 hands high, he was one of the tallest members of the tramway's herd and was often used to help train new horses and drivers due to his calm nature.

Veterinarians have confirmed that tumours were the cause of his illness and death. In a statement, staff at the Victor Harbor Tramway remembered Albert as a gentle giant.

A 'go-to' horse for training

Meg Whibley, general manager of the Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram Authority, said Albert was her "go-to" horse when it came to training new staff.

"He was very forgiving," she said. "We just trusted him in so many ways."

Albert was also known for his unique personality. Unlike most of the team, he disliked wearing blinkers, preferring to see everything around him as he made the 650-metre causeway crossing between Victor Harbor and Granite Island.

"He'd just look as if to say, 'No, we need to get past here,'" said Britt Jablonski, the tramway's head trainer, recalling Albert's suspicion of fishermen along the causeway and their rods and buckets.

A fond farewell

Albert was named after the nearby Lake Albert and was described as being best friends with fellow tramway horse Murray. The two were often seen grazing and sharing hay together in the tramway's large paddocks just outside Victor Harbor.

Since Albert's death, Murray has been getting special attention and has been paired up with another of the authority's horses so he does not get too lonely.

The community has been asked to be mindful of the impact of Albert's death on the staff and volunteers of the tramway, which has faced a difficult period in recent times, including a mystery flu-like illness in some of its other horses and reduced income due to the impact of South Australia's algal bloom.