The coronavirus pandemic has swung a wrecking ball through the Australian way of life in recent weeks.
Tragically, many people have already lost their lives and the death toll is only going to climb. Businesses have gone to the wall, thousands have lost their jobs, and the stresses of the situation has already driven wedges between regions and communities.
Grey nomads, of course, have largely had an awful few weeks themselves. One day they were merrily travelling the country living the dream, the next they were being ordered home if they had a home to go to. In many small towns, the welcome mat was abruptly rolled up and put away until next year … or until the crisis has passed.
At times it has been unpleasant.
However, amidst it all there has been acts of kindness and generosity. For every person making a stressed traveller feel unwelcome there have been others who empathise with the position grey nomads have abruptly found themselves in. Fortunately, for every supermarket customer barging people out of the way to get the last toilet roll pack, there are a dozen others who would happily volunteer their time to shop for the elderly or the infirm.
Since it became clear that many grey nomads have been caught out by the speed of events surrounding the health crisis, either because they simply don’t have a permanent home to go to, or because they are stranded at the wrong end of the country, there have been an outpouring of support and offers of help.
Jennifer is typical. She has two sites one her 179-acre property on the New South Wales South Coast which she says would allow grey nomads to isolate themselves totally.
“We have to show compassion in a time like this, and a lot of grey nomads live on their pensions and can’t afford to be paying for a site when it wasn’t budgeted for … and the price of food is growing all the time,” she said. “I am in my sixties and would hate being in a position where I had nowhere to go.”
Similarly, Tracey McLaren has a property close to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, and is now welcoming grey nomads.
“I noticed a few large caravans/4WD stopped by the side of the road this morning in my local town Yandina,” she said. “It made me realise that many people may find themselves stuck and unable to get home at this time … and we are in a lovely location.”
Of course, it is not just farmers and large property owners who are stepping up for grey nomads. There are also a large number of caravan parks which are staying open largely to cater to the needs of stranded nomads and full-time travellers, often at reduced rates.
Kathy and Pete at the Bulahdelah cabin and van park residential village took in as many grey nomads as they could because they were fully aware of the plight many of us faced. They are both beautiful people and the park has many many lovely residents. This pandemic will end, most of the grey nomads have just been caught on the hop and are not likely carriers. We will have made some lovely friends while we sit this virus out. This is the Aussie spirit which makes me shed a tear and be proud of who we are. Go Aussies and Go Bulahdelah. Thank you Kathy and Pete
Hi we have a problem ordered a new van late Oct 2019 to be ready for collection in April 2020, it’s ex-factory from Vic today 1st April, it will go to the dealer in Nowra NSW and should be ready for collection 2nd or 3rd week in April.
Our problem is can we now drive from Sydney to collect it, I am 71 and they keep telling us we have to stay at home, we dont have covid19 . I am afraid if I am picked up by Police will they class that as essential travel.