Truck Ghost Town

In-depth

28 Feb

A while back I got a call from one Geoff Brown who told me of a few get-togethers he’d organised when Covid permitted. His next one was to be at Greens Lake, just 40 minutes up the road from home.

“How many are coming?” I asked.

“No idea,” Geoff replied. “Might be just me or may be a dozen of us. Anyways, I’ll be there Thursday through Sunday.”

I fervently hoped that there’d be at least one other because trying to get an interview out of Browny is like pulling teeth. The Saturday fitted in with my other commitments so I arrived at Greens Lake around 11.30 to find….no-one!

That’s not to say I didn’t find trucks because there were 6 or 7 of them spread along and near the shoreline. There were BBQ’s set up – some with left-overs still on them. There were Eskys with beer – and NO-ONE leaves a loaded Esky unguarded - and converted trailers with doors unlocked and wide open. There were dunny and shower tents set up and vacated chairs set in a circle around a now cold pit fire.

An open packet of Twisties was still half full and plates were scattered around with half eaten meals on them. Trailers held cars brought along for ease of local transportation and some had improvised sleeping quarters sitting on the flat tops.

But there were no people! Not a one! And it was as quiet as – no bird sounds, no traffic, and no wind. Nothing at all. It fair stood the hairs up on the back of my neck!

I tried a couple of the trucks doors and they were open for any and all to enter. It was as if my truckie mates had been beamed up by Scottie.

If all the trucks were there and the cars were there, then where the hell was everyone? I have to say this was the eeriest feeling. Thank God it wasn’t dark or I reckon I’d have gotten the hell outa the place faster than some Ghost of a Truckie could say “BOO!”

Being a good journo I thought it prudent to ‘journalise’ the place by taking a heap of photos. They may possibly help the police piece together what may have happened to this bunch of blokes, and maybe gals as well.

What happened next? You’ll find out soon ….