A bus driver, sales assistant and Telstra technician walk down Balo Street.
No, it’s not the opening line to a bad joke. But there are plenty told – good and bad – when mates Gary Davis, Ross Annis-Brown and George Barnett meet up each day at their favourite spot for a chat and a joke, and to solve a few of the world’s problems.
And these Moree retirees are pretty damn good at it, too.
Gary, George and Ross meet every morning at the public seating near Best Employment and Anytime Fitness.
Their only fear, they say, is being offered employment by job agency staff or coaxed across the welcome mat at the gym next door.
“No thank-you to both,” they say in unison.
The boys’ banter may seem trivial to shoppers ambling by, but for Gary, George and Ross, the daily catch-up means friendship, connection and a chance to slow down and relax in an over-paced world.
Put simply, they all agree it’s damn good therapy.
They talk about everything – life, politics, sport and the daily headlines – as they leisurely watch the world go by.
“Yes, it is good therapy,” Gary says.
“We have small debates and discussions about local news and politics – Trump and company – and poke a bit of fun at each other.
“But it’s mainly an entertainment exercise. We watch all walks of life pass us by and we’re like a mini information centre for visitors to town,” he smiles.
The boys’ chats are lively, and peppered with good-natured humour, but always underpinned by mateship.
They cover all topics. Or, as George likes to say with a grin, “mostly BS”.
Ross, a widower who drove buses for Symes, Ken Taylor and Reynolds Fogarty, is 79.
Gary and George are both a year younger.
Gary, also a widower, worked for the PMG, Telecom and Telstra for 46 years.
George, a sales assistant for most of his working life, was employed at Dipper’s Home Timber and Hardware prior to retirement.
He says his partner, Tess, enjoys the solitude when he’s out of the house each morning.
Ross says the daily catch-ups began a few years ago at the Amaroo Store when they would all arrive at the same time to get the daily newspapers.
“When the Amaroo Store closed, we went to Faulkner’s Newsagency and when that closed we went to Sullivan’s, which is now a gym,” he shudders.
“We get our papers from Archie at Balo Square, meet up here, and talk about everything.”
Gary said they weren’t aware of each other during their busy working lives.
“I suppose we can thank newspapers for starting our friendships,” he smiles.
The boys meet up at around 10am each day. Local, state, federal and world politics get plenty of airtime. Donald Trump is the flavour of the month.
“He’s a ratbag,” says George.
Ross sits on the fence. “I don’t know how to take him,” he says.
Gary is a fan, though. “It’s good to see him get re-elected and it will be good, not just for the United States, but for other countries as well.”
On the local front, Gary says “new blood” at council might be what Moree needs.
“Especially with the youth crime situation, but it might be a bit too soon to make a judgement,” he says.
“I do know our town’s streets and footpaths need more attention and our rates are high enough to be able to do something about it.”
The morning summits usually last about an hour, and generally end when the day’s headlines and world problems are put to bed.
After dissecting Trump’s presidential win and pulling apart local government, Gary peers across Balo Street and spots local member Brendan Moylan’s office. His eyes sparkle.
But George is one step ahead. “Don’t even think about it,” he grins.
