Kel, Caretaker of The Old School Caravan Park, Merriwagga / Wiradjuri Country

Kel, ‘the friendliest person in Merriwagga’ (certainly lives up to this reputation) and owner of the only caravan park in town: “The Old School Caravan Park”, which, as the name suggests, used to be a school ground. He built this buggy from an electric bike and will ride it out to greet you on arrival. When I meet him he guesses I’m “from Mexico - that’s what we call Victorians because they’re from south of the border”. He gives me a tour of the caravan park which is actually really interesting - the school buildings he’s left unchanged, down to the writing on the chalkboard, despite it closing more than twenty years ago. There’s lot of history and Kel thinks it’s worth preserving. He shows me some caravans he’s fitted out to be self contained cabins, and even a spa he’s put in for guests to use. It’s quiet when I stay but he says on the weekend a bikie group is coming down, as well as the family of a farmer who died recently for the funeral - “funerals around here have become reunions these days”. If you ever happen to pass through Merriwagga it’s well worth stopping in and having a chat with Kel, not to mention a campsite is a steal at only $10 per night.