'How do you say thank you to all the people?': Wilks Park campers overwhelmed by community support

A group of Wilks Park residents have renamed their corner of the campground.

“Sunnyvale Brah” reads the spraypainted script on the blue tarp walls of Des Brennan and Matt Costello’s camp, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the mockumentary series Trailer Park Boys.

“It’s been a bit overwhelming. Really overwhelming being in the middle of something like this,” Des says.

“But it’s been good. People have been great.”

Long-term campers have been told they can stay and tensions appear to have eased between the Department of Communities and Justice and Wagga City Council following a week of finger-pointing over move-on notices issued last Friday.

“It’s a great outcome for everybody here and you can just see now across the park; it’s still all the same with the tourists,” Des says.

“They’re parked right up in among us now, nobody’s hassling them and it’s all just a happy place at the moment.”

Matt shakes his head and says that the response from the Wagga community was unexpected.

“People’s generosity and kindness really has been overwhelming and it has actually made this a comfortable place to live,” he says gesturing to the network of tarps, tents and pallets they call home.

“The little creature comforts that everyone takes for granted, they are luxuries for us. People have been bringing us hot meals, which is amazing.

“Someone brought a load of firewood from Young, drove all that way just to keep us warm.”

Des chuckles and shakes his head.

“It’s hard to know how to say thanks. How do you say thank you to all the people?”

Fellow camper “Kingy” slips on a pair of monster reflective shades as he joins the pair outside the tent.

“This experience has been a real highlight of my life,” he says.

“It’s not that often you get to beat the system.”

He asks for a mention for Woolworths and Coles who he says have been “fantastic”, bringing down a regular supply of fresh food to keep them going.

“Although a bag full of $100 notes would be nice, too,” he adds with a grin.

When asked what they have heard from government representatives, the trio shake their heads.

“Nothing,” Des says.

“We’ve seen the police, who have been very supportive, but no one else.

“They turned up the other night when we had a fire for the victory and said they support us and don’t mind us being here.

“We were never a problem and we shouldn’t be persecuted for having to live here.”

There are indications that DCJ will be stepping up efforts to find a solution and may establish a “concierge” at Wilks Park to deal directly with campers, but Des says many people remain wary of the system.

“There’s just not enough housing for people here. I’ve just been through it and it’s just nothing but a nightmare. Especially if you don’t end up somewhere ideal,” he says.

“It took me five years in Albury to get a place and then where they put me; it was screaming and bashing and broken glass everywhere. Just a horrible environment.

“I’m 50 years old and I can’t live like that. I’d rather live here.”

Kingy adds that it’s “a case of hurry up and wait”.

“That’s all they can do,” he says before the pole he’s leaning against shifts under his weight.

“Although I’ve got to say,” he adds dryly, examining the pole, “I question the structural integrity of this establishment.”