.Day
53 - 18/7/07 -
Into Bourke
A quiet day today, just 30km down to the weir. Met Allan Murdock, the town water and sewerage engineer. We had met before (surprise surprise) but that was when he worked in water with the Qld Government. We have arranged to meet tomorrow and also to go to two schools. I am looking forward to this after the school holidays stopped these visits.
Bourke is a very nice place. Like all of these western towns the locals are just great. It must be said though, that the town gets shuttered up after dark and it does look imposing. There are good reasons that these towns do this but the impression it gives is quite false. I feel completely safe walking around at any time. Sure there are often indigenous people hanging around. But what else can they do if they can't get a job. They are always very friendly and helpful when we say g'day. I don't know what the answer is but even in the most run down of towns, stop and have a chat and everyone is great. They just lament the fact that the place has gone backwards over the years and hope it will turn around some day.