Anniversary of death of Tom Kruse

Submitted: Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 13:24

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gke

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the death of E.S.(Tom) Kruse M.B.E. - Birdsville Mailman.

He was a man to whom the term Outback Legend truly could be applied.

Very appropriately we were in Birdsville at the time and remember the flag at half mast, with toasts and DVDs playing in the pub.

The books "Mailman of the Birdsville Track" and "Thirty Years with Men" together with the DVD " Back of Beyond" are well worth experiencing.

Cheers, Graham.

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Reply By: aussiedingo (River Rina) - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 16:45

Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 16:45

G'day Graham, sadly a man who is irreplaceable today moved on & can you imagine the memories in his mind he took with him! - no one in the current generation could handle the obstacle's he encountered regularly on each trip. (check out the movie "back of beyond" where he played himself in that film produced by Shell oil co.) I was fortunate enough to have a chat with him at the unveiling of his bust in 2008 at Birdsville, also he signed my copy of "back of beyond" I was privileged to meet him.

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Reply By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:01

Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:01

G'day Graham

This post of yours testifies as to how quickly time and life seems to pass us by.

I met Mr Kruse way back in the early 1970's at Dings ~ Shell service station in Yunta in South Australia.

I remember his very firm blokie hand shake as we parted company after talking about a rather un-blokie thing ~ wildflowers !!

Thank you for the reminder.

Safe travels :

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Follow Up By: P and JM - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 19:28

Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 19:28

Hi Joe,

Now you are bringing back some memories, Tom would have been at Yunta possibly visiting Harry Ding's son George and family at their Shell Roadhouse.
Harry Ding contracted the Marree to Birdsville run to Tom Kruse in 1936.

I worked on Stations in both Yunta and Marree areas and used to hear some remarkable stories of them.

Here is the link for those who wish to know more on these Great Men.

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ding-henry-edgar-harry-10019

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