Milk and coffee fit for a queen!

Milk and coffee fit for a queen  

Learning to drive at the tender age of thirteen sounds crazy, and even more so when we tell you it happened in a milk truck!

Such is the life of Southcare Star May who learned to drive in a 5-tonne milk truck as she helped her Dad who owned one of WA’s largest dairies in the 1950s. He needed a delivery driver to get the fresh milk bottles around the neighbourhood, and the rest, as they say, is history! 

This early start put May in good stead because ever since then she has been involved in the family business, which after selling the dairy, involved caravans, demountables and portable buildings. 

“I worked my early teenage years with Dad, did a year of business school then owned the family business when I was 21. I only stopped working when I had a hip replacement at 80,” May says. 

“It never occurred to me that I could not do anything,” she laughs. 

“I am a ‘boots and all’ person, I don’t like sitting on the perimeter,” 

These days May doesn’t drive and so now sits as a passenger when Southcare visits to help her with weekly outings.  

“The Queen doesn’t drive herself, she gives direction from the back seat, which is how I see things now,” May laughs. 

“I miss driving as I am fiercely independent but appreciate the help and connection Southcare provides me.” 

Southcare visits May three times a week for personal care and social support in line with her approved care needs.  Sometimes it involves shopping, sometimes it’s a cuppa and always there is conversation. 

“We talk about all sorts of things, we are social beings after all and built for connection,” May says. 

And as you can see, despite her interesting upbringing, May doesn’t often drink milk these days! 

Senior’s Week runs from 12-19 November 2023. How are you celebrating our seniors?