Time to Roam Magazine Issue 13 - February/March 2015 | Page 24

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upfront feature

Arno and Alma Bray on the road in the 1960s

Arno built everything
from the grille
back, including
the unusual boot,
which must have
looked ever so
modern for its time.

24

timetoroam.com.au

time building her. Inga means “rest a while”.
“The body was built in Apollo Bay and
everything required was brought down from
Melbourne. The nose is off an International bull
nose truck and the front doors are modified
FJ Holden doors. The body is constructed
with 1.9mm aluminium sheet on aircraft
framing. Arno built everything from the grille
back, including the unusual boot, which must
have looked ever so modern for its time.
The scoop on the roof was to pressurise the
van and stop the “bull dust” getting in on the
numerous dirt roads; thus they had no trouble
with dust inside on any of their travels.”
Alan Steven’s notes of his interview with
Alma Bray also shed light on the lifestyle the
couple led as they travelled Australia in Inga.
“In the wardrobe, above the wheel arches,
their shoes were kept in individual bags,
to stop them rubbing when travelling.
“The black and white TV was mounted
over the bed so they could sit in the

chairs or watch it from bed.
“There was an 8 horsepower 240-volt petrol
generator in the boot, plus a washing machine.
A 12 volt pump was carried with hoses used to
move water from a creek up to the van. An old
copper was kept in the cupboard above the
sink; it had legs and a stand and a blowtorch
was used to heat the washing machine water.
“Before rising, the kero heater was used to
warm inside the van and also for cooking eggs,
toast, etc. The heater was then replaced into
the cupboard under the sink and used to heat
up the 20 gallon hot water tank for showers,
washing up etc and that kept warm all day. A
temperature gauge above the sink indicates
the temperature in the hot water service.
“There are two hiding areas where money
and valuables could be secreted away.
“Arno and Alma lived in the van between St
Arnaud, Bendigo and Cobram until 1972 when
he retired into the home he built at Bendigo. “
Alma Bray obviously recognised Alan Stevens