John the Highway Man

Wednesday morning September 1, 2021 was the first day of spring, wattle day and an ideal day for a walk around Australia.

Grant Cadoret, better known as ‘John, The Highway Man,’ has once again made his way to and through the Narrabri region.

It has been a while since last I spoke to John but I knew he was in the area so I kept an eye out for him.

I originally pulled over to say hello and offered to get any supplies he may need or wanted.

He said, “Thanks but I have a car coming at 10 o’clock with some supplies but maybe a little further down the track”, so I told him that I will check again in a few days.

John doesn’t beg or ask for anything but he does welcome supplies if they are offered.

However, he only accepts them if he needs them and if he can carry them.

John’s favourite foods and contribution ideas are, KFC, Coke, water, a home cooked meal, beer, paper, envelopes and stamps, newspapers or books and batteries for his radio or offers to take rubbish away.

While we were talking, the number of trucks that passed us was astounding and I made the comment, “noisy critters, I can hardly hear myself think”.

John replied: “This is busier than the Newell (Highway) was.”

I asked John if he’d had the COVID-19 vaccine and he said, “No, but I am happy to have it.”

When I told him about the walk-in clinic in Narrabri on the weekend, he said, “Yes, I heard about it on the radio this morning but since I don’t have a Medicare card I can’t have it.”

I was able to assure John that I have had both my vaccines 12 weeks apart with the second one four weeks ago, I wore my mask, stayed socially distanced from him, and assured him that I had not left home for the past two weeks.

Not that he asked but I wanted him to know that I was very aware of how vulnerable he was on his own.

For those who don’t know this man, his name is Grant and that is how his family address him, but to everyone else he is known as John.

Grant/John left his job in a Melbourne city bank in August 1977 because he felt stifled and restless.

He intended on backpacking around Australia before returning to find another job.

After a few months he decided he couldn’t return and for years was listed as a missing person.

In that time, he walked Australia’s highways and back roads, eating off the land and whatever he could find along the way.

He was eventually reunited with his family and now travels to visit them and sends letters regularly.

John appreciates the support and care to enable him to live the life he so loves.

If the attention gets too much he will just go quiet for a few days and spend time in the bush.

Safe travels John.