If one man has seen the changes in how milk and soft drinks have been delivered to local businesses over the years, it’s Paul “Happy” Richens.
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Happy made his last rounds of milk and orange juice deliveries on Tuesday after 43 years, as always, with that trademark wide grin.
It included a stop at the Federation Motor Inn where Happy’s former co-worker of 14 years Steve McIllhatton works.
“Of course he’ll be missed, he’s a local, everyone knows him,” Steve said.
Happy has been the local drink delivery man since he was 21.
He started swith Young’s own McVeigh’s Cordial Factory for the first 14 years, travelling to surrounding towns like Boorowa, Yass, Binalong, Bowning and Temora.
“Instead of having it post-mixed, I used to deliver the soft drinks in 20 litre drums, some were five gallons,” Happy said.
“I used to deliver one to the Services Club every weekend.”
When the company became Young Hills, Happy transitioned to delivering milk, beer and soft drinks. He also did parcel runs.
Lately Happy has been working for Greycat Enterprises, delivering mainly milk and orange juice.
He said he loved the early mornings, except when it started to get really cold.
“But I’m starting to brr up in the mornings these last few years,” the 64-year-old said.
“[I’m going to miss my customers the most], I have about 40 per day - Wilders have been my longest.”
As Happy and Steve reminisced, they agreed they saw some amazing and interesting things.
One that quickly came to mind for Happy was a near-miss experience at BP Service Station 15 years ago, just after it had been held up.
“If I got there any sooner…” Happy said.
Steve recalled playing Uno with Happy and the other workers.
“We used to play Uno back in the days when we were the only supplier of milk to Woolworths, we’d do the delivery twice in one day on a Thursday night and Friday morning,” Steve said.
“And the fights! For a delivery that would only take 20 minutes, we played Uno for two to three hours, we’d play to see who would do the Woolworths delivery.”
Happy plans to spend his retirement travelling, with Perth one of his desired destinations.