It was the Aussies that first conceived the idea of a 'small' angus.  In an effort to determine if 'small' might actually improve their herds of angus cattle, in 1974 the Trangie Research Centre embarked on a breeding program to find out.

The Angus foundation stock actually were boated over from Canada and consisted of two bulls, Glencarnock Revolution and Brave Edward Glencarnock, a cow and calf, and 17 heifers from the Glencarnock Stud, Brandon Canada. The bulls, consistent winners at the Chicago International Show during the 20's,  were from the Blackcap Revolution family. Once arriving in Australia, the progeny of the original herd kept up their winning ways by winning numerous shows through out the 30's, 40's, and 50's.

In the 70's, the Trangie Research Centre were asked to evaluate Angus cattle for growth rate on herd profitability. The aim was to establish whether large or small animals were more efficient converters of grass into meat. This trial continued for 19 years.

To conduct these trials, Trangie Research Centre began a breeding program selecting for size and physical conformation.  They setup two tracks; a breeding program prizing high yearling growth rates and another prizing slow yearling growth rates. The two lines became known as the Lowlines and Highlines.

The research proved to be non-conclusive and the project was disbanded with the herds auctioned off to various individuals. These individuals came together to form the Australian Lowline Association.