Walgett
Run out of town
Like every other decision, what to do next was debated at length.
The Aborigines offered some old tram cars,on the edge of town, as a place to stay. We rejected this option as too risky. The trams were remote and there was no lighting. There were too many entrances, making them hard to defend. We decided to leave. We were being run out of town. The bus driver was located in his hotel and woken. Bags were packed and the bus loaded.
Members of the Aboriginal community came to farewell us. We sang "So long, its been good to know you". With tooting horns and cheers the bus drove off. As we left Charles Perkins shouted "Give our regards to the RSL".
We were followed out of town by a long line of cars. As the bus increased speed, so did the cars. Inside the bus opinion was divided between those who said the cars belonged to local toughs who were going to attack us, and those who said that since it was just after ten o'clock, the cars belonged to locals coming home after a night at the pub.
The argument was soon settled. A light truck pulled out of the line of following cars, overtook and tried to force us off the road.
