Day 5 Julia Creek to Spoonbill

We couldn't leave Julia Creek without wandering the Main Street and popping in and out of shops to say hello to the locals.  There have been many shops changing hands over the last couple of years since we were last here so we didn't see as many familiar faces as we would have liked.  However the locals we did see and talk too were full of news.

The town is becoming very much a mining town these days with various mining companies buying lots of Main Street premises.  Everyone is talking about Vanadium and the extremely rich deposits that have been found on properties within the shire. (Vanadium can be used to create batteries that have a large amount of storage and can be useful in renewable energy sources.)

After shopping a few grocery items we once again pointed the car north towards our stop for the night at "Spoonbill" station. We had been invited to Spoonbill for a farewell celebration for one of our much loved locals - "Smithy".  Pete worked at Spoonbill for 42 years after finishing his time as an SAS soldier where he completed two tours of Vietnam.  Smithy was a bit of a fitness freak and would rise every morning and go for a 7km run.  He loved it. Our family, Philip and the two boys, would compete each year in the Dirt'n'Dust Local Teams Event.  Most years they won the event.  The year after Kurt died (he was our runner) Smithy offered to do the run leg for us, an offer that we took up.  We still laugh at the fact that just before the start of the event Smithy did a 5km run, just to warm up!  I can't remember whether we won the event that year but we are forever grateful to Smithy for honouring Kurt.

The farewell celebration of Pete's life began around 4pm where we all gathered on the cool green grass in front of the house to munch on savouries and reminisce.  Around 6pm we moved to the cemetery area where a plague had been laid in Peter Smith's memory.  There were some beautiful moving speeches made by various members of the Spreadborough family and by Peter's family (incidentally they called him Jack). One of Peter's mates from the SAS also had some great tales to tell.  The ceremony ended with a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes by our friend Graham.

The night was balmy and the 80 or so people that arrived for the memorial enjoyed a beautiful meal prepared by our hosts Elaine and James.  It was a glorious day and night made all the more special by being with old friends.