Big Boss, the Escape Artist Brahman Steer, Gains Iconic Status in Mortlake

A Brahman steer named Big Boss has inadvertently become an emblematic figure in Mortlake, a town in southwest Victoria, known for his bold escapades that set him apart in the lush dairy region of the area.

Initially purchased more than 13 years ago by Mortlake’s social club associated with agribusiness Elders, caretaker Bill O’Brien recalls the steer’s purchase to fatten and sell him for profit. However, Big Boss had other plans, becoming a permanent fixture on the scene.

O’Brien reminisced about the early days when attempts to sell Big Boss were repeatedly thwarted by his reluctance to be confined in the sale yards, often leading to his daring escapes.

“Every time we’d have a muster, he’d get nervous and excited. We didn’t want him to cause harm, so we’d open the gate and let him go,” O’Brien explained.

Despite an attempt to take him to the saleyards a few years ago, Big Boss’s resolute spirit prevailed. “As he was heading down the road, he said, ‘this is not for me’ and leaped the fence, showcasing incredible determination,” O’Brien recounted.

A recent social media post featuring Big Boss generated widespread admiration, turning the steer into a local icon. People frequently stop to photograph him near the roadside, and the town’s residents, numbering just over 1,000, have affectionately embraced him as part of their community.

Despite his newfound fame, Mr. O’Brien assures fans that Big Boss isn’t going anywhere, remaining a cherished and enduring figure in Mortlake.