THIS IS A REAL RURAL DUTY

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 10 Aug 2007, 19:02

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html

Postman's weekly 4000km route

By Samantha Williams

August 11, 2007 12:00am

TREVOR Mitchell is not your everyday postie. His weekly route takes him the equivalent distance from Sydney to Perth.
The 4000km he has to cover to ensure the mail gets through on time means his route is spread over a week.

But he doesn't just deliver mail for Australia Post. For the isolated stations and villages in a 500km radius around Broken Hill, Mr Mitchell - known to them as Maily - is their lifeline to the outside world.

Like old-time mailman Tom Kruse, who travelled the Birdsville track between 1930 and 1960, he also brings rural property owners supplies including food, gas, fuel, clothes and machinery.

Not to forget the latest gossip from Broken Hill.

"You name it I take it, anything they want and that I can put on the back of the ute and trailer," Mr Mitchell said.

But instead of tackling rugged terrain in a 1936 Leyland Badger like Kruse did delivering mail and supplies to cattle stations, this modern-day bush mailman gets the sit in the luxury of the 4WD ute.

His week usually starts with mail being picked up at Coburn, 51km west of Broken Hill, before heading out in different directions as far north as Smithfield near the rabbit-proof fence to just over the border in South Australia.

He delivers to about 70 stations and villages, constantly opening and shutting gates into properties - sometimes 65 in one day. The only time he is away from home and his wife Noeline of 28 years is Tuesday when he does the longest leg, which is 700km.

The 53-year-old took over the run from a mate nine years ago who was injured in an accident.

"He gave it to me for nothing, I didn't want it for nothing, but he wouldn't accept anything. He told me because I helped him out in a hard spot, it was like a thank you present," Mr Mitchell said.

"People ask me don't you get lonely but I say I don't, I love it. There is always something different at every turn.

"I want to keep doing it for as long as I can."

As a jack of all-trades, Mr Mitchell has worked on cattle stations, in the mines and as a mechanic, which is handy when he comes across people who have broken down in the outback.

"You get to meet some amazing people and see countryside most people never get to see," he said.

"The countryside is unbelievable and the sunsets take your breath away. We had decent rain recently which was a dream come true because we've been in drought so long.

"But the land is changing and with it has come Sturt pea and flowers we've haven't seen in these parts for some time. It certainly beats the mail run some of those Sydney blokes would have to do."

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 10 Aug 2007, 19:18

Pfft what a jesse,I could do that on a bike

bigsharkboy · Post by **bigsharkboy** » 10 Aug 2007, 19:27

and i bet he starts early and he dont cut off

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 10 Aug 2007, 19:47

Talk about using your own car on delivery

pistol · Post by **pistol** » 10 Aug 2007, 20:59

at least he feels respected though..

dogfood · Post by **dogfood** » 10 Aug 2007, 21:55

Feck this could give AL ideas...

One postman to deliver mail in one village spread over a week

gazzer · Post by **gazzer** » 10 Aug 2007, 21:58

Must have some bladder

bigsharkboy · Post by **bigsharkboy** » 10 Aug 2007, 23:20

and i bet he sits in a layby for most of the morning drinking from his flask

The Sarge · Post by **The Sarge** » 11 Aug 2007, 14:23

Bet he doesn't give a XXXX for Mailsort.

Post by **Shiggaddi** » 11 Aug 2007, 16:18

"He gave it to me for nothing, I didn't want it for nothing, but he wouldn't accept anything. He told me because I helped him out in a hard spot, it was like a thank you present," Mr Mitchell said.

Sounds like it's a franchise as well, seeing as he offered to buy the round.