Nomad reported to police for ‘trying to go home’

Published: April 15, 2020

While most Australians are desperately trying to do the right thing as the country battles to get on top of the coronavirus outbreak, there has been something of a backlash against those who aren’t following the rules … or who are thought not to be following the rules.

With people being asked to practice social distancing and restrict themselves to only essential travel, there have been a growing number of cases of ‘rebels’ being reported to the authorities.

Unfortunately, not all of those being ‘dobbed in’ have been doing anything wrong.

One grey nomad reports being contacted by the New South Wales police after being subject of an anonymous Crime Stoppers report about non-essential travel.

The full-time traveller lives in his motorhome after having rented out his property in Queensland in order to live the dream. He was in South Australia at the time the border closures were taking effect, and immediately started returning to Queensland where he has family.

“Our situation, actions and present location is without concern for New South Wales police and Queensland police, so we are good there,” he said. “But thanks to someone, we are now on the police records for no valid reason!”

Even more startling is the story of a couple from Mount Perry in Queensland who were reported to police … for camping on their own property!

The News Mail reports that the pair, and others staying at their address, had to prove to police they lived at the property to escape heavy Covid-19 fines.

The paper reports that police soon discovered that Alex Geddes, 64, and his family had been following strict self-isolation laws as they share their 128-acre property with their daughter who is an essential worker.

“We moved over here because our daughter works out at the mines in a high-risk area dealing with visiting contractors all the time,” he said.

Mr Geddes has had heart problems in the past, and his wife suffers from immune system difficulties, putting them both in the high-risk category for coronavirus.

They’re living in a caravan on their property alongside four other adults and three children in separate motorhomes and tents. The other residents have been there for several months, and have since changed their home address to the Mount Perry property. The News Mail reports that the adults and children suffer from diabetes, respiratory issues and similar health problems, and have been adhering to the isolation laws set out by the state and federal governments.

Mr Geddes said he was a bit upset by the police visit, and that all family and friends abide by the travel restrictions, only heading into town for the bare essentials.

“We go in probably every two to three weeks because we’re feeding plenty of people here,” he said. “All the social distancing rules are being followed here – anytime we have a beer together at night we’re all 1.5m apart.”

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If you do dob someone in at least have the guts to use your name not
Being an anonymous a$$ whole
And get your facts right and not waste valuable police time an resources

Happened to us on the weekend, got reported for camping in our tent, by our little creek, on our property. The only way anyone would be able to see us, would have been via a road going over a mountain pass that is above our property. The police even cut our lock on the main gate, and were not apologetic. We had to prove as well, had to go back to our house to get my license. No apology whatsoever.

This is an authoritarian country today, and it will be worse after this virus is over. We will be heading into deep bush before too long. Am looking for a remote property, in the Never Never, to get away from them, making it harder for them to find us.

Sorry but that comment is a load of rubbish, authoritarian????? The police have an unenviable task but had those been camping illegally then we would applaud them. Some may get over zealous with their reporting to police but sadly, and this very stage, it might be necessary.

It is quite wrong what the police did. Totally out of control authoritarian behaviour. That is outrageous checking people camping on their own property and to cut locks is crazy. This is camping not a drug bust on some armed gang
You watch once this corna virus passes these laws will not be dropped. In 2030 police if they wish could still use social distancing to lock someone up.

I believe that Threats and Intimidation are Not necessary, there was a need to “make Enquiries” and depending on info obtained, follow up.

Try living in the Middle East…. even America or Europe during this crisis.
Then you’ll have something to really winge about..!

I don’t understand why people are still traveling home. My husband passed away in WA on the 24th March. After attending to the necessary we left WA on the 26th and arrived in QLD after 4213 km in 4 days to stay at my sons place. Don’t know why people are still traveling unless they have no other family to go to.

You are lucky to even have police investigate possible trespassers. I have been attacked three times on my own 40 acres, once with a knife by trespassers. Waited 16 hours one time for police to attend but nothing happens despite getting the trespassers number plates. Police never get back to you as probably too busy & under staffed with all the people breaking the laws these days plus no easy fines in it for the Police Department. Police could have climbed the gate rather than cut the lock or even got the owners mobile number to ring & check. Send a bill for the lock to the Police Area Commander.

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