Milkbar at cutting edge of service

By Shaun Inguanzo
SWORD in hand, Noble Park trader William Wu kick-starts his day with 20 minutes of martial arts practice – on the doorstep of his milkbar.
At 7am, Mr Wu can be seen outside his Harold Road milkbar wielding a replica Chinese sword, and swaying and moving in a manner which is both swift and graceful.
The 52-year-old and wife Pinky Xiong have only been business people for two weeks since moving to the premises in late December.
They said they never saw themselves delving into the business world, having migrated from China in 1987 and working many jobs.
Mr Wu’s resume includes a job as a tourist-bus driver, among other odd jobs.
The pair left China and came to Australia in search of freedom.
“In China you couldn’t always choose what you wanted to do,” he said.
But having visited family in 1999, Mr Wu said China had improved.
“It is now much, much better,” adding he would return for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Now committed to running the milkbar, Mr Wu admits the challenges of entering into the business without any formal training or experience have made his task quite daunting.
“If I had made the decision now (to buy it or not), I wouldn’t do it; there is too much to do,” he said.
But his determination and discipline, born from his love for the martial arts, is the reason why Mr Wu is persisting with the business.
He brought his blunt replica sword, a Long Chuan, into Australia in 1999, following his return trip to China, and has been practising tai chi for 10 years.
Mr Wu also delves in Wu Dang (a Chinese Kung Fu), and Qun Wu, so he can use his decorative sword for exercise and to clear his mind before each business day.
Both he and Pinky are striving to redevelop the small milkbar into a thriving business and it will begin with the humble meat pie.
Mr Wu is contemplating a request from garbage collectors who travel down the residential street during the early hours of the morning for a meat pie and sauce.
Currently, Mr Wu said the milkbar did not currently have pies but said the simplicity of cooking them made it a great idea.
“Food is a hard one,” he said, referring to the strict legislation governing food preparation.
“But if it is simple, I will do it.”
Mr Wu has enrolled in a one-day food safety course at Dandenong’s TAFE campus in February.
In the meantime, his elegant sword and complementing martial arts display will prepare the new business owner for the challenges and hurdles each new day offers.