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I have read the book about Tom and his story of becoming the Birdsville Mailman.It portrays the hardships that we can only imagine not even understand.I have so much respect and admiration it is hard to put into words.I haven't seen the Doco yet but will in the near future(hoping!!).We have a Yesteryear Rally this weekend in out town and seeing the old trucks brought back the memories of reading Tom's story.

March 22nd 2009
02:45:01 PM

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Well I have met the man! I flew to Adelaide last Wednesday, stayed with some friends, went to the Motor Museum and saw the Badger for myself (and got heaps of pics), then I went to the unveiling of the 4th and final Bust at Tom's birth home in Waterloo yesterday. Being able to walk through his birth home was just amazing! (and I got heaps of pics!) Thankyou Ian for the invite, I would never have made it here if I didn't have that. I got to sit and talk with Tom for a moment and had a few pictures taken. Awesome! I felt a bit funny asking to have a photo with him and talk with him for the few minutes that I did, everyone must want a piece of him! Again thankyou for the invite Ian, you yourself know how special Tom is, having seen and met him for myself now, it will be something I deeply treasure and share with whoever is interested. Now when I get back to Brisbane it is deciding which pictures I will be enlarging and hanging on the wall! Oh and it turned out, the woman I was standing next to was Kristen!!!! so I got to chat with her also.
All the very best.
Jo

November 17th 2008
02:35:49 PM

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Wow it has been one year and nothing except spam has been posted in that time. Someone needs to delete the spam.
Of course many of you would have already read the book, some of you may have even met Tom,
I am up to the last chapter in the book (the epilogue). I don't want to read it because it means that I have finished the book. I don't want to have finished it. I have never met the man but I'll be really honest here and say that Tom Kruse, His story, His life, has had a profound effect on me and has really touched my heart. I'll go even further to admit that the admiration and respect I have for the man as I write this and as I have been reading the last of the book actually has made tears fall from my eyes! (and I was only saying yesterday that this girl with tattoos tries not to cry!!)
He really is an Aussie Gentleman. I would have loved to have met the man.
Thankyou Tom

October 19th 2008
10:00:54 AM

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hi!
I am reaserchig Tom Kurse for my school homework and i need to reaserch a significant Aussie my dad is reading a book about Tom and he loves it so he explaned it to me and i was amazed. i don't know how any one could have gorn though that well done to you Tom

October 16th 2007
08:10:48 AM

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Tom celebrated his 93rd birthday last week (28th August) and is going OK. I spent a few hours with him and Valma on the day. Valma is recovering from a recent operation and I'm pleased to report is back in the saddle.

A team of people are working on getting two life sized bronze busts made of Tom to be placed at Birdsville in the yet to be opened Visitor Information Centre and the National Motor Museum at Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills - the home of the Leyland Badger.

The group, coordinated by the head of the Badger Restoration Group Neil Weidenbach has opened an Account with BankSA. The BSB # is 105 010 and the Account # is 107971240. The account name is The Tom Kruse Bust Appeal. If you'd like to contribute to the Appeal (which closes at the end of November 2007) you can EFT funds to the above account, or send a cheque or mail order in favour of The Tom Kruse Bust Appeal to PO Box 2503 KENT TOWN SA 5071. A cast of the bronze bust is in the foyer of BankSA at 97 King William Street in Adelaide. The sculptor is highly regarded SA artist Patricia Moseley.

On a sad note, Tom's Birdsville Track mate George Bell from Dulkaninna Station snapped the hobbles on Saturday at the Port Augusta hospital after a lengthy illness. George appears in most of the Tom Kruse stories including the memorable night in the Cooper with Tom for George's 80th birthday.

George was 88 years old and he has lived at Dulkaninna Station ever since walking from Adelaide with his family in 1932.

George Bell, drover, horse trainer and pastoralist will be sadly missed. RIP - The Bloke from the Birdsville Track.

September 10th 2007
12:44:08 PM

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Hello Tom,
What a small world. I just found out that the lady who looks after our 2 year old (day care)is the daughter of George (Harry) Williams.
Donna (that's her name) has told me all about her life growing up in Broken Hill and her dad's antics up the Birdsville track while running the mail.
Take care and a belated happy birthday for yesterday.

August 29th 2007
08:27:46 PM

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Hi.Tom.Ten years ago I decided that I would visit Australia for a holiday.I did with my wife and travelled from Adelaide to Darwin ,across n.Queensland and down the east side back to Adelaide.We both enjoyed it immensley,but I in particular was captivated by the outback.I returned the following year on my own and went opal mining at Lightning Ridge,where I stayed for 5 months.Made no money at all but met many great blokes,and had a whale of a time.I had the good fortune to meet a 'bushie' called John,we mined together for a while,and he then had to return to his family property out Cunamulla way.I went with him,helped with the shearing,and was introduced to outback living.John moved on and over the years I have regularly returned each year and spent time with him and his family.As he had and still does retain an interest in his own cattle I have travelled with him mustering and branding in the outback and have always felt privelidged to have had the opportunity to see the 'real' Australia.Once I did get to the Diamentina Nat Park when we were looking at an opal 'prospect' and as it was 'dry' it was difficult to imagine how it must have been for you when the water was up.Living in the 'soft'UK your adventures fill me with admiration for you and your wifes tenacity,in retaining such a hold on an unforgiving part of Australia. May your futures be filled with contentment,knowing yours was a job well done.By a coincidence my youngest son has taken a job in Melbourne,so thats another reason to visit.I have an old ute up in Qld,and I can hear it calling,so I think I'll pack my bags,and ,and try the 'Track'.Best wishes to you both.Jerry Martin.

March 9th 2007
12:58:03 AM

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Tom,
Having spent many years going back to 1950 in the shearing sheds as a shearer I spent a lot of time in the outback and around the Gammon Ranges and can appreciate the life that you led and the traumas you had getting the old trucks of those days up the Birdsville Track.
Your demeanor and attitude as reflected in the film and Mailman of the Birdsville Track is an inspiration to all and I hope that you are still enjoying life and when your time comes you will be fondly remembered as a great man who overcame any problem that came your way.
Regards
Colin Foster. January 2007

January 13th 2007
07:19:27 AM

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Aussie friends of mine at Wootton NSW sent me a copy of Kristen Weidenbach’s book “Mailman of the Birdsville Track” which I received two weeks ago, which I have now read. WOW what a story.

The reason our friends sent the book was of my research into family history and with my surname it has opened up an area that Harry’s fathers name in my tree. Thanks to the Internet the last few days has brought me information that I would never ever obtained. My father was born 18 months after Harry and passed away March 2003, he would have been very proud of his 4th cousin. My Aussi friends sent me a photo of DINGS Garage, Yunta in February 1976 and I managed to find it a few days ago, even then I had the feeling I was related.

I also note from your Guest Book that Jenny (my 5th Cousin) sent you a message I have sent her an email and have already had a response.

I will be ordering the DVD’s in the New Year

December 24th 2006
10:59:46 PM

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Well some time soon i would like to come see tom kruse i am one of your #1 Fans you are the best person ever i hope you will be the first person i will see live! well i hope i will here from you in a email soon will you email me i would relly like that a lot you are so sweet and asome well see or Here from you soon i hope!

November 2nd 2006
11:49:26 AM

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Tom celebrated his 92nd birthday on Monday August 28th. I spent a couple of hours with Tom and Valma on the day and can report they are travelling OK even though Tom reckons he's 'seizing up'. With the help of members of the family, Tom reads this guestbook from time to time and enjoys the stories and messages being sent to him. Sales of The Back of Beyond Collection being distributed by the RFDS are going well and copies are available from the RFDS by ringing 1800 813 318 by ordering them via this website. We'll put some more pics of Tom on the website in the coming months. Thank you for your continued interest. Best wishes from Ian Doyle, Executive Producer TBoBC

September 12th 2006
05:22:14 PM

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I just read your story and loved it. Cannot wait to order The back of beyond

August 3rd 2006
08:22:03 PM

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Nice Job!

June 8th 2006
07:52:56 AM

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What a pity you are getting so much spam and silly children here! My husband and I have just seen part of the DVD courtesy of friends who brought it to show us today. We will be ordering a copy for ourselves - it is wonderful to see this important part of Australia's history being preserved for the future. Well done!

March 12th 2006
04:48:35 PM

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Hello Tom,
I am another of those thousands who saw "The Back Of Beyond" (marched into the school hall we were- aged 9) in primary school in Hobart in 1954. It has influenced and inspired me ever since.
In 1972 I realized the dream I had nurtured since then by riding solo down the track on a BMW R60/5. It was hard even then and I had to resolve some mechanical problem too, but the experience only left me more amazed at the extremes you had to contend with and conquered.
I doff my hat to you sir, and the others (who we read about in Kristin's wonderful book)of your ilk who battled the track- and tracks like it. (What about the clutch plate that Ken Crombie fixed??) Doffs my hat, I does!
Pete Hibbert.

January 10th 2006
07:00:29 PM

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tom is the gratest man a live om only 14 years old and he has in spired me ive been to birdsvill 3 times i love it so much

October 25th 2005
03:05:55 PM

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Thank you very much for your great website

October 18th 2005
09:49:52 AM

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very interesting

October 5th 2005
12:58:36 PM

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Tom , Valma and Familly.
We Australians are so lucky to lucky to live on this truely beautiful continent that is unique in the world. We are lucky to live in a land where ordinary people get on with doing a job under less than ideal conditions,mostly without recognition.
It is great when we get to hear about some of these people like Tom and Valma - Valma is a hero as well.
It is people like Tom and Valma as well as Australian authors , musicians,photographers and conservationists who have a passion for our country that make me so proud to be Australian.
Thank you all.

Having recently read Kristen Weidenbach's book "Mailman of the Birdsville track" and learning that many of Tom's toys are scattered "at rest" in the North of S.A and being a very amature photographer ,I have been thinking of a project, to track down and photograph Tom's machinery (with the blessing of Tom and Valma), and hopefully have the photographs published as a photo book with profits going to the RFDS.(I belive if we all give a piece of ourselves it helps to make the world a better place)
I have not undertaken anything like this before , it may or may not happen , so .. this is my start point.
If anyone has any information that can help kick start this project ,jump onboard and please get in touch and we shall see how far we get.
Ian Young .
September 05
North Haven .South Australia

September 28th 2005
10:18:37 AM

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