A
GOOD SAMARITAN
From
form the column "Out among the People." by Vox
Source: The
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) 4 Oct 1935.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74149119.
Mr. Lewis Downs,
formerly of Wilcannia, came in yesterday, and told me an interesting
story. "Numerous travellers to Sydney by the Barrier Highway,
via Broken. Hill and Wilcannia should not fail to call on the leasee
of Dolo Government Tank between the two towns, and sample the
hospitality of that same Frank Olerhead, known far and wide as 'Old
Frank.' " he said. "They can be assured of an excellent
drink of tea and a generous feed of unequalled damper or brownie,
together with the latest news by wireless, as well as local and
general information. "Frank dispenses his wares on the unvaried
principle that, to him, all travellers are equal. The poorest bar man
or the Governor-General would be treated alike, and no one need pass,
Dolo hungry. To tender payment is not done by those who are in the
know, although small gifts in kind are not taboo. Frank has held the
fort now for about 15 years, and, although he is nearing the 80's,
his many friends hope and believe that he will be spared to continue
his self-imposed role for many years. "I recall an occasion,
about four years ago, after heavy rain when my wife and I were bogged
three miles from Dolo at nightfall, and waded through mud and water
to his friendly shelter. We were not the first guests by any means,
and before nightfall the mail lorry, with a load of passengers, and
another carload, also sought sanctuary. Twenty-four people were fed
and found a shakedown in this two-roomed hut, and at break of day
some more derelicts rolled up. We nearly ate the dear old chap out of
house and home, but on this occasion a tarpaulin muster resulted in
some of the main lines of provender being surreptitiously replaced.
But this was a feeble response for what he did for us all in our time
of need, and I have referred to only one of hundreds of instances
where Frank has demonstrated the true meaning of a Good Samaritan.
Long may he flourish!
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