For truckies in Far North Queensland unable to continue on their journeys until floodwaters recede, local roadhouses have become a place a refuge.
Often, in times like this, we hear stories that show the great Aussie spirit of mateship and comradery are alive and well.
At the Greenvale Roadhouse, this couldn’t be more true. The popular stop has been helping to ensure truckies are fed and well looked after, with its owners taking donations so they can offer drivers free meals and coffees.
The roadhouse is located on the Gregory Development Road in Greenvale, 179 kilometres north of Charters Towers.
Dan and Julie Condon took over the roadhouse about two months ago, with the previous owners there for 14 years.
For a long time, Greenvale Roadhouse has had many loyal truckies stopping by.
Big Rigs called the roadhouse yesterday afternoon and spoke to Emma. She said the roadhouse was cut off from Charters Towers and Townsville, and it had been raining off and on.
The roadhouse had been putting on special $15 dinners for truckies stranded by the floods – and then thanks to the generosity of the many people who donated, truckies were treated to free meals.
“We actually never asked for donations at all,” revealed Emma. “It all started when a truckie came in with $200 cash and said he wanted to pay for the Facebook updates. I told him that was lovely but totally unnecessary, and he said, ‘Well, then chuck it on for coffees so everyone can have one for free.’ So that’s what we did. I thought it was a really kind gesture, so we shared it on Facebook.”
After sharing that Facebook post, the roadhouse was inundated with people wanting to contribute and pay it forward.
“People started reaching out, asking if they could pay for a couple of meals, and it just grew from there. At first, people were calling up and paying over the phone, but with 40 truckies here, it became too much to keep up with, so we put the PayID and BSB on Facebook. Since then, the generosity has been incredible,” explained Emma.
“The truckies are so appreciative – some walk in and are just blown away, saying, ‘Oh my God, I really needed that.’ When their wheels aren’t moving, the bills are still coming out, but there’s no money coming in. So it’s been really special to be able to give them something nice during such a tough time.
“It’s been absolutely amazing and we are all very grateful that there are still good people out there.”
For those who’d like to donate, this can be done via Pay ID: 0400072922 or via bank transfer (BSB: 084714, Account # 73 957 3683).