Victorian Brian Cameron has had a mixed response from locals on his travels
Like many travellers from Victoria, solo grey nomad Brian Cameron wasn’t sure what sort of reaction to expect from ‘locals’ as he travelled through New South Wales and Queensland … even though he had gone above and beyond to ‘do the right thing’ and follow all Covid-safe protocols.
Having been on the road for six weeks now, he can say that the reaction to his presence has definitely been ‘mixed’.
“The trip has basically been great with people in both New South Wales and Queensland friendly and willing to give us a go,” said Brian.
However, there have also been a couple of incidents that have marred his experience.
“When I arrived in Charleville in Queensland, I had a store attendant asking ‘have you had your tyres slashed yet’?” said Brian. “Why would anybody want to say that after you had just spent $70 at their shop?”
Earlier, at Broken Hill in New South Wales, Brian says he was standing two metres behind a middle-aged man who was ‘slandering’ Victorians.
“l just had to mention that I was a Victorian and he then called me a ******* Mexican and asked what the hell I was doing there,” said Brian. “What I said to him then I cannot repeat, but he left the shop quick smart!”
The irony is that Brian, a 66-year-old retired heavy transport driver from Gisborne in country Victoria would never dream of cutting corners or doing anything that might put others at risk.
“I was a carer for my wife of 39 years, Christine, who passed away a year ago, so being vigilant about hygiene is my number one priority,” he said.
Brian’s long-planned trip was initially stalled by the travel restrictions imposed back in March. He had at that time just taken delivery of a brand new 19’ Crusader Lifechanger Experience, but the first lockdown meant it sat unused in his back yard for two months.
As soon as restrictions were lifted, Brian hitched up and headed to the Buronga Caravan Park just on the New South Wales side of the Murray River. He had been there two weeks when things really started to go downhill.
“The virus was quickly getting out of control and they were announcing border closures between Victoria and NSW so I and a few others decided to stay and quarantine another two weeks,” said Brian. “The border bridge at Buronga closed so most of us were safe now being where we were … the police were everywhere, even at the park entrance.”
Brian’s caravan park receipts were his proof that he had been in New South Wales for the required period and was – at that time – allowed to enter Queensland.
“Trust me when I say the police were very strict at the border and no one was getting through no matter what … you had to be clean,” said Brian. “Many weren’t and were sent back.”
As the Covid-19 situation in his home state has deteriorated dramatically, Brian is in no rush to head back.
“I’ll be staying in the Outback for some time now,” he said. “And I’ll be with many other grey nomads who you know are virus free because we are the responsible generation and not sneaking around and crossing borders and then bragging about it.”
Good to hear someone doing the right thing and hope you have a great trip and have a beer or two for me good luck mate
Yes had van trashed in nsw 16.000 dollars to repair thank god I was with apia
Gordon, unbelievable behaviour by selfish humans with a total lack of respect. Were you away from the van at the time?
Wow…. I am saddened to hear of your experiences although not surprised at all…. To turn it into something personal against every Victorian is ludicrous…. the other states residents need to be mindful ….it can happen in any state and it looks like NSW might be next on the list …. the bad attitude from some is appalling.
Yep feel for ya but I also understand those that dont! People are scared of getting the virus and after what happened in Victoria due to many people not doing what they were told you can/i can understand people not wanting to be near ANY Victorians. Sad but true!
Treat and respect others…as you would like them to treat and respect you..!
Brian is that you camped up at Mary Kathleen at the moment with your little mate a small black dog
Hope Brian continues to have a great trip. How I wish people would stop with this bloody minded attitude to Victorians( I am a SA born n bred) We are all Australian… just because people have Vic plates shouldn’t make them a target for this terrible discrimination
Brian, welcome to Qld, and enjoy your travels.
Pat has summed it up in one sentence. Sadly there is a big lack of respect in our community these days.
it is sad to see “sticky beaks” who cannot mind their own business and wish to inflict their opinion on other people based on the registration state of their vehicle. Perhaps we need national registration plates like heavy vehicle have?
NSW and Queensland at odds after Annastacia Palaszczuk says hospitals are for ‘our people’…. I agree with the border closures but politicians using fear to help their election efforts may do long term damage to this country.
Re comments by Queenslanders to Victorian Brian. A fair number of Queenslanders were rude like that even before the CV took hold. They seem to think they, their state and their climate are perfect in every way. Absolutely not so. We experienced up to 12 seasons each day in Atherton and Cairns was miserable and cold in the 2019 (supposed) dry season. We are unlikely to travel into Qld again except for an area around the south west which has always been closed due to flooding when we’ve attempted to go there, 2016 and 2019. If we do travel to Qld again we’ll spend as little money as possible, taking all non perishable food with us and packing as much frozen food as possible. They need to remember that NSW and Vic have filled their coffers with federal government funding for many a decade and it is only in recent years that their population has increased but still not to a level that they can contribute to the upkeep of other states. Far better beaches can be found in NSW and WA.
Hello…this is Australia.
Very petty and silly comments about other states.
Our G’fathers and fathers all joined together, went to war, fought and died for Australia..not just Vic, Qld, WA or Tassie…
Grow up or go home..!
Doesn’t matter which State you visit. Treat others with friendly respect and they will do the same with you.
As a born and bred Sydneyside, living in the southern highlands for 30 years, I have travelled this beautiful country in a caravan for 5 years. I have now been living in the Atherton Tablelands for 10 years. I should have moved her 30 years ago.
Who ever you are you can take your dry food and stay away. You don’t what you are talking about.