Just before Cyclone Alfred was gathering speed I went out for a walk on Kedron Brook Bikeway. Arthur Richard Groom stopped on the bridge we were both crossing and asked for directions. I pointed him” that way.”

As I was walking back our paths crossed again and I asked whether he had found the place he was looking for and what on earth was that strange contraption he was riding. We were deep in conversation within minutes, exchanging life stories so we agreed to meet. I was eager to hear more and he was happy to give me a copy of his book “The View Through the Windscreen”.

Arthur Richard Groom known as Richard comes from a special Queensland family. His father also called Arthur, (an adventurer, environmentalist as well as a writer ) and Romeo Lahey partnered up and created The National Park Association of Queensland in 1930 in the midst of the Depression. They created Binna Burra a mountain retreat which was initially used as a camp for people escaping the city. In 1933 a cyclone swept through the mountains and the guests huddled in the dining tent which leaked terribly. Just then Jim Burke, the cook shouted “Dinners Ready. She is hot and good and you will have to eat it standing up.” The cook had stuck to his pots!- a true Queenslander and the spirit of Binna Burra was established.

I have been there and the views and forests are breathtaking and that is where Richard grew up with his two brothers, a carefree but quite challenging existence. He talks extensively about the efforts to establish the lodge, the road leading to it, as well as getting supplies there. He kept his involvement with the Lodge over the years but also took other jobs. The brothers were good at sharing the management. When one managed, the other took off for a couple of years. Richard is good with his hands and loves bikes – all sorts, and has ridden, built and torn them apart. He worked in NT and travelled through South Australia, became a bus driver and had a couple of companies for hauling homes, caravans, tourists and old people throughout his colourful life as he provided for his family. He knew the value of freedom as his brother Donn had so ably described. ” Freedom is the ability to survive indefinitely with what you carry on your back.”

On Friday the 5th of July 2013 everything changed when their only son Stuart 31 was killed in a senseless accident on his way to work when another young person did an illegal turn and took away Stuart’s life in an instant.

Richard recounts this to me over a cup of coffee. How he and his wife went to the court hearing expecting to hate the man who deprived their son of his life only to find he was a young man like their son who was deep in grief for what he had done. Richard could not feel bitter about it anymore but resolved “To walk in the world for his son”. He has taken his son’s bike and over the years, while it may not be the same one, has transformed it vowing to live his life for Stu. He likes to take the long way home, always looking for the scenic way. He is now 84 and says he has slowed down a bit and plans keep changing but for his 85th he wants to do the 160 kms Brisbane Raleigh Rail Trail https://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/ – heading out in the first week in June and back on the Friday, the day Stu was killed, as he and his wife go out for coffee every Friday to commemorate him.

I am now in correspondence with this remarkable Queenslander and will be cheering him on in June as he sets off.