As a visiting Pom pilot, I took on fuel at Windorah about 20 years ago. The agent then was Merv Ploger (Ploeger?) and I was told that the drill was to circle his house in the town a couple of times and then land. We did this, and his wife, presumably Bub, turned up in a ute with half a dozen kids in the back, still in their pyjamas (it was the middle of the morning), whom she proceeded to shout at non-stop while doing a friendly and efficient job of dispensing fuel. We asked where Merv was and she told us in no uncertain terms that he was on the verandah with a beer and had sent her out.
When we went through Windorah again a few days later, she came out again. The kids were still in their pyjamas (this time it was the middle of the afternoon) and she said in robust terms that Merv was still on the verandah with a beer.
Mrs Ploger and the Windorah terminal building were our introduction to Outback flying, and we loved it. Glad to hear that not much has changed.
Last edited by Hew Jampton; 23rd Apr 2002 at 18:12.