RALPH Treptow told an inquest yesterday he returned to Albury on October 12, 1973, intending to go to the former Gloucester Hotel in Smollett Street.
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He had been working in Wodonga, while living in East Albury, and drove along Wodonga Place, intending to turn right.
It was then he saw an FB Holden station wagon come quickly from his right along Smollett Street heading west through the intersection.
Mr Treptow said it was dusk, between 6.30 and 7pm, and the driver looked towards him.
He recognised the driver as someone he knew from competing at stock car race meetings.
"The person I recognised was Geoffrey Brown," Mr Treptow said.
"He was in the front seat on his own. In the back seat, there was a man and girl fighting or wrestling."
He said he knew him as "Brownie" from stock car.
What he saw had not been told to police until 2009 when Mr Treptow became aware of media reports about police launching a fresh investigation into the death of Corowa girl Bronwynne Richardson.
He then contacted CrimeStoppers and later made three police statements in June, 2009.
Mr Treptow was asked whether he was aware that Geoffrey Brown was charged with the murder of Ms Richardson and he replied: "No".
Brown was discharged after a committal hearing before magistrate Clive Werry.
He has been listed as a person of interest in the present inquest which continues today.
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