Kruzin The Track

[Glen Hughes]

I grew up on the Birdsville Track, and knew this man Tom Kruse, and his story needed to be told.

9 - 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,
served their time and 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 catcha later,
then he’s sliding through the gears,
contract, mail bag, cartage, now for real.

Bush skills were unrivalled,
looking forward, never back,
shortcuts, destination on his mind.
300 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 & 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 and plate, curse and pray,
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 now 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

[Shelley Hansen]

Great subject for a poem, Glen! I've often thought about writing about Tom Kruse myself - such a legend!

Cheers
Shelley