Vic Rail and Hendra virus films
Collection
This collection contains material relating to an uncompleted documentary film by Brian Benson relating to the outbreak of Hendra virus in Brisbane in 1994 and the subsequent death from the virus of horse trainer Vic Rail. The collection includes unedited video of interviews and related footage as well as transcripts for some of the interviews, scripts, clippings and other papers. The interview subjects include horse trainer and fiancé to Vic Rail, Lisa Symons; stable veterinarian Peter Reid; racing steward Ray Murrihy; Dr. Keith Murray (CSIRO); Dr. Ian Douglas (DPI); Allan Callaghan (RSPCA); horse trainer Bart Sinclair; strapper Jock Lloyd; stable hand Ray Unwin. The collection also includes footage from Mackay relating to the death by Hendra virus of Mark Preston and interviews with his wife Dr. Margaret Preston and father John Preston.
Brian Benson is a Brisbane-based film maker and motion picture photographer. Vic Rail was a well-known South East Queensland horse trainer. In September 1994, a virus broke out amongst Rail's horses at his training complex in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra. Vic Rail and the stable foreman Ray Unwin both then contracted the disease from the horses. Rail passed away within weeks from related symptoms. 14 of the 21 horses involved also died.
In copyright.