Weed sprayer spotted ‘grumpy fella’ in Wonnangatta Valley

A weed sprayer has recalled the moment a “grumpy fella” — believed to be missing camper Russell Hill — sped past him in the Wonnangatta Valley, “like he was on a mission”.

A weed sprayer has told a jury a “grumpy fella” — believed to be missing camper Russell Hill — sped past him in the Wonnangatta Valley the day he was allegedly murdered.

Former Jetstar captain, Greg Lynn, 57, is standing trial for the murders of Mr Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, claiming they were accidentally killed in separate struggles over a shotgun and a knife at a remote campsite in Victoria’s High Country on March 20, 2020.

Robert Williams, a weed sprayer contracted by Parks Victoria, on Thursday told the Supreme Court he was working in the Wonnangatta Valley, when a “snazzied up” white Toyota LandCruiser — the same vehicle Mr Hill owned — sped past him.

“I wouldn’t of minded it myself,” he said.

“I expected the fella to slow down and talk to me, but he actually seen me and accelerated.

“He didn’t look very happy, he looked like a grumpy fella.”

Robert Williams was spraying weeds in the Wonnangatta Valley the day the campers were allegedly murdered. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Mr Williams said Russell Hill sped up after spotting him on the side of the road. Picture: Supplied

Mr Williams said he had been working in the area with two other men for a number of days, and most people they came across would stop and speak with them.

“Just the way he accelerated past ... like he was on a mission, it was very unusual,” he said.

After the sprayers finished their work for the day and returned to camp, Mr Williams said he noticed a drone circling above them before it continued downstream to other camps.

“I actually waved to the drone, he tilted the wings on the drone to acknowledge me,” he said.

Under cross-examination, Mr Williams admitted he thought the drone flying above was a “bit rude”.

Mr Hill owned a drone and prosecutors allege he was murdered following a confrontation or argument with Mr Lynn, likely over his drone.

Mr Williams also described an interaction with another man, believed to be Mr Lynn, who was wearing shorts, a singlet or T-shirt and gaiters and drove into their camp two days earlier to ask where the best spot to set up was.

The court heard Greg Lynn told Mr Williams he’d just been hunting. Picture: Supplied

“I asked the man if he could stay back a few metres, he was all sweaty and he looked sick. I thought he might have had Covid,” he said.

“He told me didn’t have Covid, he’d been hunting.”

He said the man was driving a white Toyota Prado, but under cross-examination agreed it was actually a blue Nissan Patrol — the same vehicle Mr Lynn owned.

Mr Williams recommended nearby Bucks Camp, telling the court he later glimpsed the man’s bull bar through scrub, indicating he had set up camp towards the back of the site.

Truck driver Goran Miljkovic gave evidence from Sydney via video link with the assistance of a Serbian interpreter, telling the court he saw an elderly man and woman driving in the Wonnangatta Valley while he was on a hunting trip in March 2020.

It comes as the jury were shown aerial footage taken by police of the remote area, including a small clearing at Bucks Camp.

Mr Lynn is accused of murdering the elderly campers after an argument with Mr Hill.

His barrister Dermot Dann KC said they were accidentally killed in separate struggles over a shotgun and a knife before his client made a “terrible choice” to destroy evidence and dispose of their bodies.
The trial continues.