Help for Geraldton backpackers: ‘Can’t just let them starve’

Lindsey Ward is a merchandising graduate who has taught English in Italy and worked at Disney World in Florida, and a Queensland cattle station. The 25-year-old Texan is one of 13 backpackers who found themselves with nowhere to stay when the City of Greater Geraldton announced it was closing its free campsites last week. “We were trying to do the loop of Australia and got all the way to Broome, then found they were closing the border so we came back to Geraldton,” she said. “When we passed through, we met some locals and made friends with them, so it was our safe haven in WA.” Drummond Cove Progress Association president Gavin Hirschhausen said the backpackers were all between jobs and camping at the City’s Drummond Cove facility, and some just wanted them moved on. “Not to help, or to turn a blind eye, as has been suggested, is un-Australian,” he said. “I contacted the mayor and said, ‘Could they have a little more time?’ and he said ‘sure’.” Mayor Shane Van Styn said the backpackers were either getting houses, or community members were offering them properties to camp on, or the City was directing them to caravan parks. “We have all got to work here together, we can’t just let them starve on the street,” he said. “We have got to find places for them. A lot of people can’t go home.” Ms Ward said they were all extremely grateful to the people of Geraldton. “Most of us found different places to live like apartments and things like that for the time being to stay quarantined and safe,” she said. “People were courageous enough to hold out a helping hand to strangers with food donations, book donations — they were amazing human souls, so a big hug to everyone.” Ms Ward said she and her partner Stefano Bertellotti, 24, an Italian electrician, would like to make a home in Geraldton. “To me Australia is like America was in the 1920s, everyone moves here to make their dream possible,” she said. Anyone with a job offer may call 0460 003 526.