EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS A MAYOR
Tibooburra, Johnny the only retired serviceman, every Anzac Day he leads the dawn service
Johnny A Tale 22-09-2023
First visit to Tibooburra straight to the pub.
Nice cold beer, time for a feed, ordered grub
First person I was introduced to was Johnny A.
A bit of a yarn, we didn’t really have a lot to say.
Next thing I Noticed though as I walked the town.
This bloke Johnny A was held by all with high renown.
Mostly retired, he kept out of gossip and the petty fuss.
Meeting at the ‘Family Pub’ arriving in battered [ute] bus.
Door left wide open for designated co driver to come and go.
As every new face came through the door, johnny would know.
Every town has a shire, except for those ‘unincorporated’ out there.
No surprise to find that ‘Johnny A’ is popular choice, unofficial Mayor.
Served his Tibooburra community and his country in the Vietnam war.
A closer look finds Johnny “A” contributions has a much deeper score.
Appreciates what his community has given him, over many years span.
Returned the favour many times, Santa, School Yardie”, tri-state postman.
Captain of the rural fire brigade, SES member, Officer volunteer Ambo too.
From his spot in the bar tells tales, some slightly embellished, but mostly true.
Takes set-backs in his stride, when to Adelaide for scheduled ‘hip op’, he heads.
Only to return, the hips untouched and installed, a brand new ‘heart valve’ instead.
His statement below encapsulates this man’s view about this Tibooburra town.
“It’s just a beautiful place, the solitude, the lifestyle, the weather, I just love it”
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