Originally published August 5, 1982
DAVID James Jones — alias “The Possum” — is dead.
He was found lying at one of his camp sites on Ned’s Corner Station, 70 kilometres west of Mildura.
The Possum’s body was found by woodcutters Bill Aston and his son Bill jnr.
It is believed he had been dead about three weeks.
Senior Constable Roy Fletcher of Werrimull police recovered the body, which was later taken to Mildura Base Hospital mortuary.
It is understood a post mortem will be held.
Attempts were still being made to locate relatives of the bushman, who was 81.
Most known relatives live in New Zealand.
Sen-Constable Fletcher said the old man was wearing clothes in which he had been last seen — that was early in July.
His death has been put about the time of severe frosts in the river area — and soon after a feature story about him appeared in this newspaper.
When found by the woodcutters, “Possum” was lying on his side near one of his bush hideaways, about 500 metres from the Murray River in Victoria.
The story of “Possum” created Australia-wide interest following its release in Sunraysia Daily.
The bush recluse was a New Zealander by birth.
Because he was shunned while trying to get work around Wentworth as a shearer when he was 27, he turned his back on society and headed for the bush.
He had been seen few times in the 54 years since then, but often turned up at homesteads late at night, mending fences, crutching sheep and doing other odd jobs, for which he demanded no payment, but accepted food items left out for him by station owners.
He often swam the Murray River, using an upturned bucket for buoyancy, to get away from approaching bush hunters or picnic or fishing groups.
Bushmen told stories of how the “Possum” often slept in trees overnight. How he dined on wild fox or kangaroo that he had caught in snares.
He lived off the land for more than half a century, and clothed himself with discarded clothing left out for him by kindly station people.
The “Possum” was a familiar sight to many of these station folk.
A kindly old man who would never hurt anyone, an eccentric who just wanted to be left alone.
It is known that he often walked all night — sometimes up to 50 kilometres — between Renmark and Wentworth, but he had not visited a town centre for at least 30 years.
It is also known that he kept a series of diaries, which he has hidden in his bush hideaways, scattered throughout the river country from Wentworth to Renmark.
These diaries, if ever they are found, will give an even greater insight into what made the “Possum” live like he did for 50 years.
Station people who knew the “Possum” — some by sight, some by reputation, were saddened by his passing, however they knew that at 81, he was nearing the time when he would be unable to properly look after himself.
They were also concerned that the old man receive better than a pauper’s funeral, and there has been some talk of passing around the hat so that the “Possum” can receive a proper funeral.
“Possum” was buried at Wangumma Cemetery. His headstone reads: “David James Jones ‘Possum’ 1901-1982 – at rest where he roamed.”
A statue of “Possum”, paying tribute to the larger than life recluse, is erected in Fotherby Park, Wentworth.
