As word spreads of Dick Daley’s upcoming retirement, it’s clear to his long-time customers what will be missed most – the lively conversations. And after 60 years of working at his service station on the Atherton Tablelands, 94-year-old Daley would agree. For six decades, he’s been a familiar face, yapping with visitors, fixing cars, and fueling up vehicles at Daley’s Garage in Tolga, a small agricultural town known for its red volcanic soil.
Every day, Daley shows up in his signature blue coveralls and floppy hat, with grease on his hands and a smile for everyone who pulls into his station. Since he took ownership of his dream petrol station on April 1, 1964, he’s been a constant presence. Back then, he scraped together the funds, even breaking his own rule by taking out a small loan. It was a modest start, with just one fuel pump and a handful of customers, but Daley’s dedication saw the business grow.
Times have changed since those early days, but Daley’s approach has remained the same. Even now, as he prepares to retire, he’s still out by the pump, offering full “driveway service” to each customer. This kind of personal service harks back to an era when petrol stations did more than just sell fuel—they checked your oil, cleaned your windshield, and gave you a friendly chat, too.
When Daley first started, petrol was around five shillings a gallon—about 11 cents per litre—and was considered a luxury. Families treated filling up as a special occasion, and over time, Daley came to know multiple generations of the same families who frequented his station. He watched kids grow up, have families of their own, and continue the tradition of stopping by Daley’s Garage.
Daley’s story is remarkable not just for his long career, but for the dedication he’s shown. While most Australians retire around the age of 65, Daley kept going long past that—he only stopped doing mechanic work in 2016, at the age of 85. Even then, it wasn’t the physical toll that slowed him down, but the complexity of modern cars. He preferred the simplicity of older vehicles, where a new set of spark plugs would get you back on the road.
Now, as Daley prepares to retire for good, he faces the monumental task of clearing out his workshop. Over the years, he’s collected everything from vintage tractors to oil cans and enough tools to fill a small warehouse. But rather than discarding them, he’s moved most of his treasures to a new shed on his farm, which is already filled to the brim.
Daley’s retirement might seem overdue, but even up until six months ago, he was considering carrying on. He credits his stamina to a life of continuous work and his daily routine of walking his energetic border collie. Longevity runs in the family too—his sister Lottie recently turned 103.
Though Daley will miss the daily chats with his customers, he now has time to enjoy his retirement, perhaps catching up with friends and spinning yarns at the Tolga Pub. It’s the end of an era for Daley’s Garage, but one filled with fond memories and lasting community ties.
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