uncle toms sister is married to my dad i met him in coober pedy while we were on holidays that day i found a nice sliver of white opal i shook his hand it was tough as leather it was like shaking a leather glove i asked him how long have you done mechanical work he said all my life at the time he was building gold extraction units for western australia he often said when i broke down in the desert id crawl under the badger for shelter and god was looking over me and i always made it through rip uncle tom
Another great man, they breed them tough in S. Australia. Try and find a book called "30 Years with Men" by Harry Ding (mentioned in this tribute), a good read.
I have been to Big Red, Birdsville, Innamincka, Tibooburra, Broken hill, Lightning Ridge, Broken Hill Long.......Brisbane, QLD, NSW, SA. I can't imagine can't early Pioneers walking the distances that they did in those conditions, but they did, it's bad enough having to travel in modern 4WD let alone try and walk them with camels.
It was written for us to use in our documentary 'Last Mail from Birdsville - the story of Tom Kruse' by a South Australian based musician called Les Montangees. I'm going from memory here, I may not have his surname spelled correctly.
I’ve tried for years to get a copy of the song used in the opening and throughout this. If anyone knows where / how / who. Please tell me!!! It’s so catchy!
I think the singer is Swampy Marsh. I think I remember they were selling CDs at Birdwood when Tom handed over the truck to the musem. I wish I bought one one the day.
Gives me the drive to keep on trucking for Australia Post. Thankyou for your service Tom Kruse.
Very Inspirational indeed. What a Legend. May his Wonderful Soul Rest in Divine Peace.
What a Australian Lengend and icon! Fascinated by his story. Thank you
Inspirational. A true legend and hero of Australia.
Thank you.
What a truly amazing story and amazing man if only I could be a man like that I could move mountains 👍🤘🤘🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
One word describes this Outback gentleman, legendary.
Kruzin The Track
Tom Kruse the mailman, a legend of the track,
service to the outback, MBE.
Tom and his Badger connected now for life,
Birdwood based for all who call to see.
The track was just a stock route a camel pad at most,
water in the desert hard to find.
Bores were sunk in the basin, from Birdsville to Marree,
opened up the outback down the line.
Ships of the desert, their time served were replaced,
cameleers and camels way too slow.
Horses were unharnessed and buggies left to rot,
four wheel motivation now the go.
The Leyland Badger loaded, mail bags thrown on top,
Tom the Birdsville Mailman at the wheel.
Waving catch ya later, sliding through the gears,
contract mail bag cartage now for real.
Bush skills were unrivalled, never looking back,
shortcuts, destination on his mind.
Three hundred miles to navigate, gibber plains and sand,
the only track was his just left behind.
He stops at every homestead with a hand shake and a smile,
mail exchange for a cuppa and a yarn.
Rested then moves onward ever onward up the track,
making camp by the roadside out of harm.
Hard work through the sand hills just north of Coopers Creek,
the trip has been a tough one hot and dry.
Bogged down to the axels, dig, curse and plate,
willing her to pull through, one more try.
He eases down the Badger as he pulled her in to town,
mail unloaded turns the old girl round.
The Birdsville Pub his final call, he knocks a cold beer down,
then fires her up and kruses Marree bound.
Seasons come, seasons go, the desert turns to mud,
Tom now finds the Cooper in full flood.
The track was cut, no crossing, a boat was sought and bought,
to improvise ran deeply in his blood.
Tom Kruse the mailman, a legend of the track,
service to the outback MBE.
Tom and his Badger connected now for life,
Birdwood based for all who pass to see.
Glen Hughes ©
15/3/22
Amazing tough individual
uncle toms sister is married to my dad i met him in coober pedy while we were on holidays that day i found a nice sliver of white opal i shook his hand it was tough as leather it was like shaking a leather glove i asked him how long have you done mechanical work he said all my life at the time he was building gold extraction units for western australia he often said when i broke down in the desert id crawl under the badger for shelter and god was looking over me and i always made it through rip uncle tom
Tony , lovely story.
You are his legacy in part.. Be proud as hell for having this man being a part of your Ilk mate. RIP TOM from a PTO Truck driver.
Another great man, they breed them tough in S. Australia. Try and find a book called "30 Years with Men" by Harry Ding (mentioned in this tribute), a good read.
It's an excellent read. Harry Ding's son and daughter travelled with us on the 2009 trip.
I have been in Marre in 1973 and 1994-driving to Odnadetta-Coper Peddy-Alise-great experiens!!!
I have been to Big Red, Birdsville, Innamincka, Tibooburra, Broken hill, Lightning Ridge, Broken Hill Long.......Brisbane, QLD, NSW, SA. I can't imagine can't early Pioneers walking the distances that they did in those conditions, but they did, it's bad enough having to travel in modern 4WD let alone try and walk them with camels.
Can anyone tell what the song is called? I cannot find it on UA-cam at all. Cheers.
It was written for us to use in our documentary 'Last Mail from Birdsville - the story of Tom Kruse' by a South Australian based musician called Les Montangees. I'm going from memory here, I may not have his surname spelled correctly.
I’ve tried for years to get a copy of the song used in the opening and throughout this.
If anyone knows where / how / who. Please tell me!!! It’s so catchy!
It was written by Les Montangees for this documentary, not sure whether it is available anywhere else though.
I think the singer is Swampy Marsh. I think I remember they were selling CDs at Birdwood when Tom handed over the truck to the musem. I wish I bought one one the day.
I just googled him, Bill Swampy Marsh, contact details all there. He lives in Victor Harbor. I hope this helps.
What a great australian
He sure was Angelo.
AWESOME
where to bay the Back of Beyond?