My husband works in Armidale so since my retirement I have been spending some time at Dumaresque Dam. This saves him driving there and back each day. Of course, I do my bit with all the reading, walking, chatting to neighbours etc.
Last weekend, I wondered why our security sensor light (25 bucks from Bunnings) seemed to be on for longer than expected. Hubby said its just the wind.
Early next morning, neighbours knock on the door to tell us of the events of the previous night. In the early hours of the morning, a bloodied young man woke them up asking for help. He had been badly beaten and his car stolen and torched further down the road. Our light had been coming on and off with ambulances, police etc coming and going.
This did certainly not put us off free camping and I will continue to spend time there, especially as the weather warms up.
The lady involved said she had wanted to come to get my hubby to assist but was too frightened to walk through the dark to get us. They have suggested, if we all carried a whistle, we could have a generalised signal that could be used to call for help.
Admittedly this free camp is only 15 mins from town and it is very busy on weekends with day trippers etc, but as a free camp, it is just beautiful. So if you get the opportunity to visit, please dont be put off by this incident. I think it was just a convenient place to dump the poor injured victim.
Next time I will pay closer attention to my security light.
valnrob said
02:47 AM Aug 16, 2013
Oh gosh that's awful. The suggestion of a whistle for help it's a good one. What is the signal for SOS?
Cloak said
03:12 AM Aug 16, 2013
I hope incidents like this are rare.
Retreat said
03:14 AM Aug 16, 2013
SOS Code
...___... 3 short 3 long 3 short
Bryan said
03:41 AM Aug 16, 2013
A whistle is a good idea.
the rocket said
04:45 AM Aug 16, 2013
my goodness. the whistle is a good idea. i'll get one now. thanks.
Teddy said
12:29 PM Aug 16, 2013
Some of the new digital torches have an SOS flashing light built in. Of course there has to be someone to see it and realize what it is to be of any help
badgerhel said
04:05 PM Aug 16, 2013
Kantiki....what a dreadful experience for everyone. I think the whistle is great.....but I think I'd be yelling louder than any whistle.
Cheers
Helen
hako said
06:09 PM Aug 16, 2013
A whistle unfortunately is no good if you are short of breath or an asthmatic - you'll find you cannot blow hard enough for the sound to carry far and you'll be in a panic for a start.
I've seen people attach a boat horn near the door - they attach to an aerosol and the sound will carry for miles plus they'll deafen anyone you point it at....cheap too from BCF or online.
Lorries said
06:21 PM Aug 16, 2013
If you are in a motorhome blast the horn - that will get someone's attention. Of course you can't do that with a caravan I realise. It is an understanding us motorhomers have when travelling together if we need help.
ozjohn said
07:15 PM Aug 16, 2013
A bright flash together with a BIG BANG scares the hell out of prowlers. Sorry, just reminiscing the old days when I had a federal carry permit. Now back to the realities of today where an aerosol horn or whistle sound like a pretty good idea. Ozjohn.
dazren said
07:50 PM Aug 16, 2013
Around 10 years ago, we were camped on a remote part of the Murray, around 9 pm at night we kept getting weird noises coming from the dark, about every 5 minutes or so from different directions ??? Went on for about 1.5 hours whilst we were sitting around the campfire, We Shone our torches, but could see nothing ?? we yelled out, but Heard nothing, ?? So the mate had a Starting Pistol in his ute, so Got it out, waited for the next noise ?? then shouted out, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO ''Smart- ars-'s ??? THEY GET SHOT !! he then fired the starting pistol into the air, ?? Ahhh !! worked wonders, Never heard another strange noise in the following 4 days we were there/ ??
solo nomad said
08:50 PM Aug 16, 2013
i know some people might frown on this but i keep a can of fly spray beside the door. anything bad happens and they get it in the face.
serves two purposes keeps the flies and mozzies away too
better them than me....
-- Edited by solo nomad on Friday 16th of August 2013 08:51:32 PM
jules47 said
03:35 AM Aug 17, 2013
Love Dumaresq Dam - a really nice spot, so close to town. That must have been a very scary experience. A whistle is a good idea, as long as it is really loud, like another poster said.
hako said
04:18 AM Aug 17, 2013
A cattle prod is good too.....they can be shortened....or a can of ovencleaner etc etc. But the reality is that you'd probably being charged with assault...."Officer, I was only going to ask for a glass of water"
I've never met a person who has actually used and of the suggested "aids" to repel an intruder, in fact I've never met anyone who has ever met an intruder or had any problems at all on the road apart from accidental.
So I'd have to say why worry.
Gerty Dancer said
05:21 AM Aug 17, 2013
Only "intruder" we have had at home or away was a cow!!!
The dog lady said
08:52 AM Aug 17, 2013
Only intruder I've had was at home when living in the city. A baseball bat near the door makes me feel more secure, tho I'm probably not so likely to chase an intruder down the street with it these days as I once was (never know what you can do when the adrenaline kicks in tho). Security is the reason I prefer to be well away from towns, but I wonder, was the attacker known to the victim? Is there something more to it that makes a random attack by the perpetrators unlikely?
This news article gives the impression it was not random
Sorry not sure yet how to make that a link on this tablet, can copy an paste into address bar or maybe someone can help
-- Edited by The dog lady on Saturday 17th of August 2013 09:05:05 AM
The dog lady said
03:56 PM Aug 17, 2013
dazren wrote:
Around 10 years ago, we were camped on a remote part of the Murray, around 9 pm at night we kept getting weird noises coming from the dark, about every 5 minutes or so from different directions ??? Went on for about 1.5 hours whilst we were sitting around the campfire, We Shone our torches, but could see nothing ?? we yelled out, but Heard nothing, ?? So the mate had a Starting Pistol in his ute, so Got it out, waited for the next noise ?? then shouted out, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO ''Smart- ars-'s ??? THEY GET SHOT !! he then fired the starting pistol into the air, ?? Ahhh !! worked wonders, Never heard another strange noise in the following 4 days we were there/ ??
pump action shotgun made a good bird and other nuisance scarer in the old days too. But according to the licencing laws apparently I can't be trusted with one of those anymore
Ontos45 said
05:24 PM Aug 17, 2013
The dog lady wrote:
pump action shotgun made a good bird and other nuisance scarer in the old days too. But according to the licencing laws apparently I can't be trusted with one of those anymore
Never a truer word spoken dog lady, apparently "self defense" is not a legal defense anymore, though, any form of defense can land you in deep water.
Sue and I travel with a BIG dog and her growl and bark is a deterrent but, even a dog is not allowed "the first bite" anymore. Seems that we are on our own in this brave new world.
We also free camp as far away from towns as we can on a weekend as this seems to be the time the morons, drink fueled, come out to play. And, yes, I have been lucky on my travels, to have only one incidence and that was at night but the dog heard the car door open of the other vehicle...they'd coasted up with engine off, but on hearing the dog, shot through.
This is going to get more prevalent as more of us get on the road and the economy declines as some people look on us as rich because we have RVs and they, poor darlings, have nothing.
Thinking out of the square, why would anyone be desperate enough try to break into a Grey Nomads caravan or motor home......what will they score - it won't be a wad of cash, a few slabs of beer, a bit of speed or a few joints or something worthwhile.
I reckon there are many more attractive easy touches out there than GN's.
johnq said
08:22 AM Aug 18, 2013
Ontos45 wrote:
The dog lady wrote:
pump action shotgun made a good bird and other nuisance scarer in the old days too. But according to the licencing laws apparently I can't be trusted with one of those anymore
Never a truer word spoken dog lady, apparently "self defense" is not a legal defense anymore, though, any form of defense can land you in deep water.[snip]
Peter
The Shooters and Fishers Party in NSW introduced law change that so the reversed standard of proof no longer applies in NSW. There it is up to police to prove that you did not fear for your wellbeing. NSW citizens can now defend themselves and their loved ones (as it once used to be!). See here,
It is regrettable that elsewhere in Australia a law-abiding citizen who defends himself/herself, loved ones and property against an assailant faces a reversed standard of proof where they are required to prove that they were in actual fear of death or serious harm and they used the exact amount or less of required force to restrain the assailant. In acting to defend yourself even when waking to find an armed offender in your bedroom, you can be charged if the offender is hurt in any way.
So that no-one leaps to confusion, this does not invite firearm use. Licensed owners would have their firearm locked in a safe and ammunition locked in another.
Although I see no reason why country women in particular had to give up their possessions, their trusty pea rifles or 'ladies' .410 shotguns, that have for countless years seen off both four and two legged nuisances.
The dog lady said
12:09 PM Aug 18, 2013
Many years ago I was advised by a cop "if you ever use force to defend yourself just ensure that your story is the only one that can ever be told".
Gerty Dancer said
03:38 PM Aug 18, 2013
After reading the police report that Sheba posted, it seems to me the attack was directed at that young man, not a random attack.
The dog lady said
03:47 PM Aug 18, 2013
Gerty Dancer wrote:
After reading the police report that Sheba posted, it seems to me the attack was directed at that young man, not a random attack.
I thought so too, and while that certainly doesn't make it OK, it does make it unlikely that the same thing would happen to just any campers.
Gerty Dancer said
05:50 PM Aug 18, 2013
Its still a lesson not to camp near a town though. BTW, your avatar cracks me up Dog Lady, that pup is sooo opposite in shape and size to your dogs!
Also, thanks for the update Sheba.
Ontos45 said
07:23 PM Aug 18, 2013
hako wrote:
Thinking out of the square, why would anyone be desperate enough try to break into a Grey Nomads caravan or motor home......what will they score - it won't be a wad of cash, a few slabs of beer, a bit of speed or a few joints or something worthwhile. I reckon there are many more attractive easy touches out there than GN's.
That might ring true for the past, but, we all have mobile phones, laptops, TV's etc. all have a ready market on the sly. Be prepared is my motto!
Last I heard is that a cross bow is legal.
Remember it is better to be tried by a jury of 12 than carried by a party of 6.
Peter
Sheba said
08:41 PM Aug 18, 2013
Gerty Dancer wrote:
After reading the police report that Sheba posted, it seems to me the attack was directed at that young man, not a random attack.
Not my Post Gerty. I just made it clickable for the dog lady.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 18th of August 2013 08:43:25 PM
allinone said
11:18 PM Aug 18, 2013
Been carrying a whistle for a few years now, never knew what to yes it for, it is in the glovebox. Luckily did not use that rule if not used in a year then toss it out. But then again haven't used the fire blanket or extinguisher either. :)
So great idea.
hako said
11:18 PM Aug 18, 2013
Hmmmm......here's another one - this time at a car rest stop.
My husband works in Armidale so since my retirement I have been spending some time at Dumaresque Dam. This saves him driving there and back each day. Of course, I do my bit with all the reading, walking, chatting to neighbours etc.
Last weekend, I wondered why our security sensor light (25 bucks from Bunnings) seemed to be on for longer than expected. Hubby said its just the wind.
Early next morning, neighbours knock on the door to tell us of the events of the previous night. In the early hours of the morning, a bloodied young man woke them up asking for help. He had been badly beaten and his car stolen and torched further down the road. Our light had been coming on and off with ambulances, police etc coming and going.
This did certainly not put us off free camping and I will continue to spend time there, especially as the weather warms up.
The lady involved said she had wanted to come to get my hubby to assist but was too frightened to walk through the dark to get us. They have suggested, if we all carried a whistle, we could have a generalised signal that could be used to call for help.
Admittedly this free camp is only 15 mins from town and it is very busy on weekends with day trippers etc, but as a free camp, it is just beautiful. So if you get the opportunity to visit, please dont be put off by this incident. I think it was just a convenient place to dump the poor injured victim.
Next time I will pay closer attention to my security light.
SOS Code
...___... 3 short 3 long 3 short
my goodness. the whistle is a good idea. i'll get one now. thanks.
Some of the new digital torches have an SOS flashing light built in. Of course there has to be someone to see it and realize what it is to be of any help
Kantiki....what a dreadful experience for everyone. I think the whistle is great.....but I think I'd be yelling louder than any whistle.
Cheers
Helen
I've seen people attach a boat horn near the door - they attach to an aerosol and the sound will carry for miles plus they'll deafen anyone you point it at....cheap too from BCF or online.
A bright flash together with a BIG BANG scares the hell out of prowlers.
Sorry, just reminiscing the old days when I had a federal carry permit.
Now back to the realities of today where an aerosol horn or whistle sound like a pretty good idea.
Ozjohn.
Around 10 years ago, we were camped on a remote part of the Murray, around 9 pm at night we kept getting weird noises coming from the dark, about every 5 minutes or so from different directions ??? Went on for about 1.5 hours whilst we were sitting around the campfire, We Shone our torches, but could see nothing ?? we yelled out, but Heard nothing, ?? So the mate had a Starting Pistol in his ute, so Got it out, waited for the next noise ?? then shouted out, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO ''Smart- ars-'s ??? THEY GET SHOT !! he then fired the starting pistol into the air, ?? Ahhh !! worked wonders, Never heard another strange noise in the following 4 days we were there/ ??
i know some people might frown on this but i keep a can of fly spray beside the door.
anything bad happens and they get it in the face.
serves two purposes keeps the flies and mozzies away too
better them than me....
-- Edited by solo nomad on Friday 16th of August 2013 08:51:32 PM
I've never met a person who has actually used and of the suggested "aids" to repel an intruder, in fact I've never met anyone who has ever met an intruder or had any problems at all on the road apart from accidental.
So I'd have to say why worry.
Only intruder I've had was at home when living in the city. A baseball bat near the door makes me feel more secure, tho I'm probably not so likely to chase an intruder down the street with it these days as I once was (never know what you can do when the adrenaline kicks in tho). Security is the reason I prefer to be well away from towns, but I wonder, was the attacker known to the victim? Is there something more to it that makes a random attack by the perpetrators unlikely?
This news article gives the impression it was not random
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMxODE0Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D
Sorry not sure yet how to make that a link on this tablet, can copy an paste into address bar or maybe someone can help
-- Edited by The dog lady on Saturday 17th of August 2013 09:05:05 AM
pump action shotgun made a good bird and other nuisance scarer in the old days too. But according to the licencing laws apparently I can't be trusted with one of those anymore
Never a truer word spoken dog lady, apparently "self defense" is not a legal defense anymore, though, any form of defense can land you in deep water.
Sue and I travel with a BIG dog and her growl and bark is a deterrent but, even a dog is not allowed "the first bite" anymore. Seems that we are on our own in this brave new world.
We also free camp as far away from towns as we can on a weekend as this seems to be the time the morons, drink fueled, come out to play. And, yes, I have been lucky on my travels, to have only one incidence and that was at night but the dog heard the car door open of the other vehicle...they'd coasted up with engine off, but on hearing the dog, shot through.
This is going to get more prevalent as more of us get on the road and the economy declines as some people look on us as rich because we have RVs and they, poor darlings, have nothing.
Peter
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/latest_releases?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmViaXoucG9saWNlLm5zdy5nb3YuYXUlMkZtZWRpYSUyRjMxODE0Lmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D
I reckon there are many more attractive easy touches out there than GN's.
The Shooters and Fishers Party in NSW introduced law change that so the reversed standard of proof no longer applies in NSW. There it is up to police to prove that you did not fear for your wellbeing. NSW citizens can now defend themselves and their loved ones (as it once used to be!). See here,
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20111011080
It is regrettable that elsewhere in Australia a law-abiding citizen who defends himself/herself, loved ones and property against an assailant faces a reversed standard of proof where they are required to prove that they were in actual fear of death or serious harm and they used the exact amount or less of required force to restrain the assailant. In acting to defend yourself even when waking to find an armed offender in your bedroom, you can be charged if the offender is hurt in any way.
So that no-one leaps to confusion, this does not invite firearm use. Licensed owners would have their firearm locked in a safe and ammunition locked in another.
Although I see no reason why country women in particular had to give up their possessions, their trusty pea rifles or 'ladies' .410 shotguns, that have for countless years seen off both four and two legged nuisances.
Many years ago I was advised by a cop "if you ever use force to defend yourself just ensure that your story is the only one that can ever be told".
I thought so too, and while that certainly doesn't make it OK, it does make it unlikely that the same thing would happen to just any campers.
Also, thanks for the update Sheba.
That might ring true for the past, but, we all have mobile phones, laptops, TV's etc. all have a ready market on the sly. Be prepared is my motto!
Last I heard is that a cross bow is legal.
Remember it is better to be tried by a jury of 12 than carried by a party of 6.
Peter
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 18th of August 2013 08:43:25 PM
So great idea.
Hmmmm......here's another one - this time at a car rest stop.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-18/man-stabbed-with-syringe-in-robbery-attack/4894512