Known fondly as “Gus”, the vehicle was sold to a district grazier in the mid-1950s. Could the chassis be found on a puddling dam around the Ridge?

Angels of Augustus is the story of the MNS. It was published in 2006 and launched at NSW Parliament House.

Stephanie Somerville has written the account based on her mother’s (Marjorie Wilkinson) diary - one of the pair of “Angels.”

Gus served as a camper van as well as transport from Brewarrina to Goodooga, Hebel, New Angledool and Lightning Ridge, giving support to communities, missions and properties. Later, the Angels extended their service to Bourke,Yantabulla, Weilmoringle and communities near Hungerford.

They could attend to dental aspects and conduct Methodist Church services and marriages as well.

You can buy the book at the Ridge Visitors Centre. There are lots of photos in it including Bush Nurse O’Brien, a beefy Irish woman standing at the Lightning Ridge BNA gate with her overweight dog.

Sister Marj noted in her diary that he shadowed the nurse’s black-stockinged legs to the point that he could have been mistaken for her third leg.

Also, the Tree of Knowledge stands tall in the main intersection outside the Imperial Hotel across from where Gus is refuelled.

In another snap, Marj is being lowered in a bosun’s chair by an unnamed miner.

On Friday May 28 at 5pm Brewarrina is celebrating the MNS by opening a photographic exhibition and prize giving for the school art competition at the Visitors Centre in Bathurst Street. On Saturday at 10am tea will be served and a memorial unveiled in the front entrance grounds of the District Hospital on Barwon and Doyle streets.

An open house of the Wilson Street historic cottage that once belonged to the Methodist Sisters follows from midday until 3.30pm.

Elk & Ice Books, publishers of Angels of Augustus, share the sponsorship of these events.