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History regarding the birth of Reilly and Sons
Food Services.
Steve Reilly joined the NSW Police Force as a Police Cadet at
16 in 1966 straight from Narrabeen Boys High School before
graduating as a Police Officer in 1969, mainly stationed on the
Sydney Northern Beaches.
In 1973 he graduated through to the Detective
ranks into the under
cover squad of the now infamous 21 Division, stationed at
various secret locations in the Redfern areas of Sydney.
Being a well known local and 1st. Grade Rugby
League footballer at the time with South Sydney, Steve and his
partner Kevin Roberts, another well known 1st. Grade Rugby
League Referee and ex. 1st. Grade footballer also with South
Sydney found it increasingly hard to perform under cover
Police work in NSW..
In the same year, 1973, Steve and June married,
and it was mutually agreed that Police under cover work was
best to be abandoned, hence Reilly and Sons Food Services were
established, with Bread, Milk, Dairy and Juice products their
main source of income.
Steve’s initial years of employment with the NSW
Police Force at such a young age, combined with his sporting
fame via Athletics, Surf Lifesaving and Rugby League made him
into the unique character he is today, forming many life long
friendships and networking contacts which are so essential to
any successful business.
After initially operating as a husband and wife
team, and part time staff, the Co. started to expand during
the mid to late 1990`s with the addition of their two sons Shaun
and Aaron joining the Co. and operating out of a small office
and warehouse facility in Mona Vale.
The rapid growth during this period of time was
due mainly to Reilly and Sons Food Services commencement of
distributing Milk and Dairy products for Murrumbidgee Dairy
Products (MDP) in 1992 based in Wagga Wagga who were owned at
the time by the Bonlac Foods Group of Co.`s.
Reilly and Sons Food Services real prominence
were established after their involvement in partnership with
Murrumbidgee Dairy Products (MDP) when they were awarded the
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Contract to exclusively supply all of the
milk and dairy
products to this major Event.
The Award Winning
Riverina Fresh
Milk
then became the best known brand of Milks within the Milk and
Dairy Industry in the City CBD areas of Sydney.
In recent years Bonlac Foods have been purchased
by the well known world’s largest Milk and Dairy Co., Fonterra
Australia Brands Pty. Ltd. who have other known brands of Milk
and Dairy products such as Norco, Browns, Peters, Mainland,
Bega, Perfect Italiano, Allowrie, Western Star etc..
With recent
further expansions, Reilly and Sons Food Services moved
from their original base at Mona Vale to their current complex
at Cromer.
Steve
and June are currently looking forward to impending retirement,
with Shaun and Aaron together with their wives Jasmine and
Sarah-Jane respectively taking on more responsibilities within
the Co..
With
five grand kids now in the ranks of Reilly and Sons Food
Services, it seems to be assured of continuing prominence within
the Milk and Dairy Industry in future decades to come. |
