Ryan Wolfe

In her statement, she said that on the property they had a number of animals.

Four horses, two ducks, three bantam chickens, three dogs and two cats.

And it was part of Anne's normal routine to feed the animals before she would start her day.

And on this day, she didn't.

Of the three dogs she described, two as good alarm dogs, she said that Rocky and Grace would both bark ferociously if they didn't like something or if someone they didn't know approached the property.

She would also always take the poodle Poppy with her everywhere, even to school with her, where she would sit in the car all day.

She said that if Anne were taking the dogs for a walk, normally she would walk from the house down to Little Yabba Creek Bridge and then walk through the forest.

She was clear that she had never known Anne to drive her car to the Little Yabba Creek picnic area where it was found and then go for a walk.

When leaving the house, she said Anne would never leave the gates open, unless she was leaving only for a very short time.

On the morning of Anne's disappearance, being Saturday the 29th of May 1999, Joan said that at approximately 5.30 to 6am, she heard a quiet bark from Poppy the poodle, as if something had disturbed her.

This was followed by the other dogs joining in.

But the barks were only as if they had been disturbed.

It was not an aggressive bark as if it was a stranger, but it was also not a friendly bark as if it was Eric.

She added that the dogs often get upset in the morning if a tourist were to stop a car out front.

But when this happens, they come out of the house and down the back steps.

But this didn't happen, and the barking never escalated.

At around 6.10 a.m., she said they heard Anne's car start.

It is parked only eight meters from the caravan, and they know the sound well.

She didn't hear any noises, such as doors fiddling or the gate opening, but as soon as the car started, it immediately and quickly reversed out.

Her and her husband commented that this wasn't normal.