Last week we heard about the longest mail run in Australia. So I thought you might like to know about the man who made these intrepid trips.
The Overland Mail truck in Meekatharra before setting off to Marble Bar
Geoff Lambert did the ‘run’ for thirteen years. He was the longest-serving mailman employed by Campbell & Co who had the contract. Others who did the run were Peter Campbell, Pat Campbell, Bill Campbell, Neil Gibson, Jimmy Campbell & Bill Collins.
Geoff was born in Co Wexford, Ireland on the 13th June 1895. He arrived in Australia with his family at the age of 18 months. Geoff was raised in Kalgoorlie. He came to know the unforgiving nature of the outback which stood him in good stead when he came to Meekatharra to be a driver for Campbell and Co. During the years 1926-1939, Geoff delivered mail and sundry item to scattered outback stations between Meekatharra and Marble Bar, constantly overcoming all manner of predicaments and disasters, both natural and mechanical.
While delivering mail to Balfour Downs station, Geoff became acquainted with Miss Eileen Hazel Napier, who later left her position as governess to work at the Commercial Hotel in Meekatharra where she and Geoff were married on the 3rd August 1933. In 1940 Geoff and his family moved to Nullagine, where he and Eileen became proprietors of a store. Geoff became involved with the Road Board where for a time he acted as the vermin inspector. In 1952 Eileen and their four daughters moved to 2 Holland Street, Fremantle where Geoff would visit them during his annual leave. Geoff wasn’t to join his family until 1960 when he retired. Geoff was to pass away only a year later on 18th April 1961 aged 66yrs. Eileen lived on till 1985. Geoff is buried in the Fremantle cemetery.
The Meekatharra overland mail truck Coming through the Flooded Nullagine River – 1952
The Contract Mailman
There was a contract mailman, Geoff Lambert was his name
He travelled o’er the back blocks, and widespread was his fame,
He was based in Meekatharra, his steed a great old truck,
He delivered all the mail in it and frequently was stuck.
Geoff rattled round the stations, from Meeka to Marble Bar,
He bumped and thumped and jarred and jumped as he rattled near and far,
And though his truck was often stuck, he always did his rounds,
To the people of the outback, Geoff was worth a thousand pounds.
Through dust and heat and rain and sleet, on outback unmade roads,
Geoff weaved across the country, in charge of all his loads.
He battled through the sand-drifts and bogged down in the mud;
Capsized he was along the way and lost some skin and blood.
From Meeka to Three Rivers, then on to Ethel Creek,
Geoff made his way in the heat of the day, to no soul did he speak.
From Roy Hill to Noreena Downs, across to Nullagine.
O’er sand and rocks in riverbeds, but Geoff was doing fine.
From Nullagine to Corunna Downs, Geoff swayed and bucked along,
No one to keep him company except his lonely song.
For thirteen years he’d done the run, he knew the country well,
But in the winter weather, the mail run could be hell.
The ‘run’ in times like these took from eight to nineteen days;
It’s a wonder that Geoff made it, for him, there is great praise,
For when he’d come to Marble Bar, and handed o’er his pack,
He’d gather up another load and set off down the track.
Old Dodge Truck by David King
Moya Sharp
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