FROM early each morning Aeroglen mobile pie van man Danny sates that great Australian urge, the desire for a tasty pie, right here, right now.

I’ve been working here six months, but this van has been here ten years. We sell Bill’s Pies. That’s Bill Richardson from Mareeba. He bought Bushman’s Pies down from the Tableland. Now all the pies are made locally here in Cairns. I’m here from seven in the morning until about three in the afternoon. Some days I might run out and go home a little bit earlier. I work until the pies are finished, or 3pm more or less.

I get all sorts of customers. Council workers, truck drivers, tourists coming through. They all love their
pies, it’s a great Australian tradition. A few larrikins give me a bit of cheek, I just give it right back to them!

There’s all different sorts of pies, starting with the ordinary meat pie. We have a big range. We have plain steak, cheese & tomato, curry, chicken, pea & potato: about 22 different varieties all up. The pies are made fresh every morning out of our little shop on Newell Street off Hartley Street, they’re all kept nice and warm in this pie oven. Bill stays in the shop now and does all the paperwork.

The most popular? Curry, chilli, cheese & onion, cheese & bacon. The curries are first to go most days. When I sell them I take the stickers off the fridge, so customers know what’s left. No vegetarian pies, just veggie pasties. Australian’s like their meat pies

It’s pretty good working out here. I meet all sorts of different people, have a bit of a chat. It’s nice to work outdoors. There are a few regulars who come every day, I see them coming down the road, know exactly what they want so get it ready for ‘em.

My favourite? I’m a big partial to roast lamb. With tomato sauce of course, everyone loves a bit of tomato.

Why are pies such a part of Australian culture? It’s like the old advert. Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars. Everyone loves a good old Aussie pie.

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