HARD-WORKING local legend Ron Shepherd may be turning 95 this year, but he’s still loving his part-time job as a butcher at Sunnyside Meats and has no intention of retiring.
While many people opt for retirement almost three decades before turning Ron’s age, he told The Weekly that he has developed a passion for his work and the social benefits.
“I keep working so I can keep talking to the girls,” he said with a smile.
“It’s all about having a nice conversation with people and the staff here are great to work with.”
Sunnyside Meats employees pick up Ron for work each morning from Greenhills Lodge and kindly drop him off each day at around noon.
“They’re great, but it’s really about meeting people and especially local girls,” he said.
A World War II and Korean War veteran, Ron is a man with many stories to tell and has worked as a butcher for most of his life.
But a recent stroke has slowed Ron’s speech down with his Sunnyside Meats work helping to keep his spirits high.
“I’ve been working as a butcher for many years, I’ve been lucky with my health so far, but my feet are a bit buggered,” he said.
When asked why Ron keeps working at 94, he explained it was an active environment that keeps him active.
“I enjoy the working environment, it’s something that keeps me going,” he said.
Fellow employees and Sunnyside Meats owner Todd Shadbolt spoke highly of Ron.
“It’s great to have Ron around,” Todd said.
“He enjoys interacting with customers and it keep that glint in his eyes.”
Mr Shadbolt said he has known Ron since he was about 15.
“He’s a pleasure having him at Sunnyside Meats and he just keeps getting stronger and stronger,” he said.
“Up until his 90th birthday he was still living independently, but after he had the stroke he slowed down a lot, but I think the shop helps keep him active.
“It’s great having him here.
“Never lost the ability to swear but lost some other things after the stroke.”
Ron was one of the first Australian troops in Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima and prior to his stroke spoke fluent Japanese.
Anyone wanting to say hello to Ron can find him most weekday mornings.
