We first met Dave Lindner while researching the story of Sweetheart, the notorious saltwater crocodile captured on the Finniss River in 1979.
Like many Territory bushmen of his generation, Dave says what he thinks. There is no sales pitch, no polished version of events and little interest in impressing anyone. If he thinks you're wrong, he'll tell you. If he agrees with you, you'll know that too.
We've found the best way to approach men like Dave is to be straightforward. Ask direct questions and expect direct answers. They generally have little patience for fluff but appreciate an honest conversation.
One thing that stood out during our interviews was what happened after the cameras were switched off. Dave would head back to his quarters and write in a paper diary. He has kept handwritten notes for decades, recording events, observations and day to day happenings.
Dave wasn't the only one. Many of the wildlife rangers from that era maintained similar records. Alan Morton, who was involved in the Sweetheart capture operation, typed detailed field notes from the day. Those notes still exist today and provide a firsthand account of what occurred.
When researching historical events, material like this is difficult to beat. Diaries, field notes and records created at the time often tell a clearer story than memories recalled many years later.
Not every moment was serious. During one interview on a remote floodplain, Dave's phone started ringing. Watching him wrestle with a smartphone while trying to continue the interview was worth a laugh. Technology and Dave never appeared to reach an agreement.
Image: Roy Wright - Former poacher and old enemy of Dave's (Friends in the present day) - Image by Wild Creek.