Ballarat couple, Joe and Cheryl Walshe cannot stay away from Julia Creek.
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The outgoing pair have put their hands up to volunteer as Camp Hosts at the Julia Creek RV Friendly Site on three separate occasions in the past 12 months.
McKinlay Shire Mayor, Belinda Murphy said Joe and Cheryl have been in Julia Creek for three months in the last year.
“They have embraced everything about life here and are very valued members of the community,” Cr Murphy said.
The voluntary role requires couples to issue permits to RVs and caravans as they arrive at the site, explain the site rules and ensure the smooth running of the free camping facility adjacent to the picturesque Julia Creek watercourse.
Mr Walshe said the serenity of the place was beautiful.
“To sit outside as the sun sets and watch the stars appear while listening to the fish jump in the creek is awesome,” Mr Walshe said.
“We also love meeting other travellers as they pass through; we have made many friends.”
Mrs Walshe said she picked up a new nickname while in the region.
“The other day I was helping a gentleman who called me Julia,” Mrs Walshe said.
“I was then known as Mrs Creek while he was here.”
The Walshes also organise nightly happy hours with the RV Site guests where laughs aplenty are guaranteed.
Their stay in April coincided with the annual Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival.
“The preparation for the event with such a small community blew us away,” they said.
“We loved the Country Tastes Luncheon at the races; the food was delicious. We even backed a few winners.
The Walshes have been ‘living the dream’ on the road for nearly four years after selling their house and packing all of their belongings in a shipping containing.
After Julia Creek, they are travelling north to Adels Grove where they will work for a month in lieu of their keep then they plan to head to Cape York.
Cr Murphy said they hoped the Walshes would be back in Julia Creek in 2018,
“They do such a wonderful job and we love having them around,” she said.
“The tales of their adventure are testament to what a memorable Outback Queensland experience camp hosting in Julia Creek is.”
If you would like to volunteer as a Julia Creek RV Friendly Site Camp Host in 2018, contact McKinlay Shire Council on 4746 7166 or tourism@mckinlay.qld.gov.au
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
