Weed sprayer gave camp directions to murder accused

A weed sprayer has described seeing a grumpy old man, believed to be Russell Hill, speed past him on his way to a remote Victorian campsite on the day it's alleged he was murdered.

He also recounted giving a man, believed to be accused killer Greg Lynn, directions to the campsite two days earlier.

Lynn, who was an airline pilot at the time, is accused of killing Mr Hill and his childhood sweetheart Carol Clay while they were camping in the Wonnangatta Valley more than four years ago.

Aerial footage of the Wonnangatta Valley shown to the jury in the trial of Greg Lynn.

The 57-year-old has pleaded not guilty and is facing a four-to-six week trial in the Supreme Court in Melbourne.

Lynn's wife Melanie and his two sons, Geordie and Elliott, supported him from the public gallery of the court on Thursday.

Two weed sprayers and two deer hunters gave evidence to the jury about their interactions with Lynn, Mr Hill and Mrs Clay near Bucks Camp in March 2020.

Robert Williams, who was spraying blackberries in the area, said a man wearing gaitors and shorts, aged in his 50s approached him on March 18.

(L-R) Geordie, Melanie and Elliott Lynn
Lynn's wife Melanie and his two sons, Geordie and Elliott, supported him from the public gallery.

He said the man was "all sweaty" and looked sick so he asked him to stand a few metres away in case he had COVID-19.

Mr Williams said the man, believed to be Lynn, then asked him where the best place to camp in the area was.

"Bucks Camp is definitely the best near Wonnangatta Station," he told the jury.

On March 20, Mr Williams said he saw a "grumpy old bugger", believed to be Mr Hill, in a "snazzied up" white Toytota Landcruiser.

He said the car zoomed past him and did not stop to say hello.

"The way he accelerated past me, it was like he was on a mission," he told the jury.

"He was very unhappy ... he just looked really grumpy and sad."

Later that day, about 4.30pm, he saw a "rude" drone fly over him.

"I heard this noise coming down the river, looked up, over the top of me there was a drone flying very low," he said.

"I actually waved to the drone, he tilted his wings."

Map of the Wonnangatta Valley and Bucks Camp shown to the jury
The weedsprayer directed Lynn to Bucks Camp (circled on the map) as the best campsite.

The jury was told on Tuesday the two campers died on March 20 after an argument between Lynn and Mr Hill about hunting and the latter's drone.

Mr Hill had threatened to send footage of Lynn deer hunting close to Bucks Camp to police, defence barrister Dermot Dann KC said.

He said a scuffle ensured after Mr Hill took a gun from Lynn's vehicle and Mrs Clay was accidentally shot by Mr Hill.

He claimed Mr Hill then came at Lynn with a knife, and was accidentally stabbed in the chest as Lynn was trying to defend himself.

Lynn then burned Ms Clay and Mr Hill's campsite, put their bodies in his trailer and dumped them on the remote Union Spur Track, near Dargo.

The trial continues.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store