Ed,

I just thought I would like to write a note to the Independent (great paper you know!) to talk about the last few weeks when I was having a great time in the soya bean patch, I’m talking about the area next to Yamba Road.

I have had an amazing time, of course enjoying the soya beans which were so, so good. Thank you heaps Johnnie for letting me stay and for letting all those lovely people who came to visit. I do apologise that some of them did not understand boundaries and came into the soya bean patch. I was concerned about a very few people who let their children come in too close, though I do love having my photo taken! And thank goodness no dogs came onto “my patch”. I don’t like dogs and I do have amazing feet. In fact, I saw everyone who stopped were very good in controlling their pets.

I stayed longer than I initially intended, as said, beans were yum, but I did love the attention. So many people stopped. Never realised humans came in so many shapes and sizes. I did decide to come closer to check them out as my eyesight is not the best. It was most interesting, and it seemed there were different languages spoken! I have heard on the “bird line I’ve gone viral”! Isn’t that great, especially as I’m part of a very endangered emu population. There are not many of us left and I do think we need some help.

I do know I gave some well-meaning people a big scare as I was thinking about crossing that road, though that looked scary as too many fast cars and those trucks are huge!

Then came those great big signs (the small ones helped but sorry too small, especially for those fast vehicles) that made a big difference as so many cars slowed down to look at me. I felt like a real celebrity.

I decided it was time to leave as end of the soya beans and it is now breeding season so think it’s time I went and found a mate. Should have gone earlier but I was having too good a time watching all you people. So much fun.

Till next year and please slow down on the roads even my friends like the wallabies, kangaroos and bandicoots are having a tough time.

Thank you, Johnnie, for your patience, letting those people drive onto the cane pad to take a look at me and thank you to everyone for slowing down.

Barbara Linley (on behalf of everyone’s favourite Coastal Emu)