Over the past five years, you may have noticed an affectionate ginger cat called Muni (pictured) who loved people but ignored birds and wildlife, made friends with locals of all ages around the Seacliff railway station. He was also a welcome regular visitor to the nearby primary school, pre-schools, monthly produce swap market and other community gatherings and events. Muni was also known to make occasional surprise appearances in locals’ homes and even, sometimes, inside their parked cars. But his favourite place during the day remained hanging around the Seacliff railway station across the road from his permanent home with owner Deb Huston in Kauri Parade.
According to Deb, he was rescued as a kitten in 2012 from under logs at a Buddhist retreat in bushland on Kangaroo Island where he was given the name Muni which means “sage or wise one”. Deb added: “throughout his life he remained a wild cat at heart, always looking for adventure”. During his daily daytime rambles around the railway station and beyond, Muni made many loyal friends including local children on their way to and from school, who would look out for him outside his home, as well as regular train passengers and even dog walkers. While it’s been reported once, says Deb, that he was known to chase a dog out for a walk with its owner, he was never known to catch a bird or any other wildlife … or to get on a train.
Sadly, for the many who came to know him, Muni “crossed over the rainbow bridge” on the 8th of July 2024.
Muni’s popularity amongst so many locals will be commemorated by a small sign to be erected on the southern Seacliff station garden fence in Kauri Parade. The sign has been generously funded and provided by the Government of South Australia Department for Infrastructure and Transport on behalf of Muni’s friends from amongst the Seacliff Rail Care volunteers who meet at 9am on the second Saturday of every month to plant and maintain the garden areas around both platforms.
Please note: Deb along with Seacliff Rail Care volunteers support responsible pet ownership in accordance with the City of Holdfast Bay “Dog and Cat Management Board laws to ensure pets and people live in harmony” as stated in https://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/services/dogs-pets and https://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/council/policies_registers_by-laws/by-laws
The unveiling of Muni the Railway Cat’s memorial sign will be held at 11am on Saturday 22 March 2025. Everyone interested in coming along to celebrate this event is invited to attend between 10.30am and 12.30pm for a 5049 Coastal Community Neighbourhood Trailer sausage sizzle located in the carpark of the nearby Seacliff Presbyterian Church.