When I opened Book One I immediately recognised Moombidary station.

In 1995 I was a raw Presbyterian Inland Mission patrol padre on my very first solo patrol to stations in southwest Queensland. I had headed west from Charleville to Thargomindah and was now half way through the patrol, heading towards the NSW border at Hungerford.

I had been delayed at the previous property and rather than stop and roll out the swag as I normally would, I had pressed on to the next station on my map. It was 7.30pm and, after skirting a muddy stretch of terrain, I came across a tall fence in the gloom (the corner appears in the photo.)

I was tired and dirty and I drove around the fence looking for the gate. I could see lights on in the homestead, but no gate. I did three circuits before suddenly a figure appeared out of the dark, walking towards the homestead.

The person asked who I was and after explanations were made invited me in, through a narrow gate I had missed! After the daughter had shown off the find (me) she had made on her way in from the cattle yards, the manager's wife said ... "I wondered why the blokes (their other staff) were driving around and around the house yard".

After all present had spent the meal ribbing me they invited me to stay the night and help in the yards loading cattle in the morning.

It was the first of many memorable visits with wonderful hospitality, but I will never forget my feelings as I drove round and round the homestead looking at the figure in the window and wondering why she didn't come out. I never again called on stations at night, unless pre arranged.

Jeff Parry
Former Presbyterian Inland Mission patrol padre