WHEN a then 39 year old Dave Ryan started at the Aussie Biscuits factory with House With No Steps, Dances With Wolves was the Best Picture winner at the Oscars, the Canberra Raiders had shaded Penrith in the 1990 grand final 18-14, Liverpool would begin a three decade top flight drought, Guns N Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers were top of the music charts, Steffi Graf was the Queen of women’s tennis and the Berlin Wall had only just been knocked down.

Today, 30 years later, 69 year old Dave Ryan hangs up the apron, mittens, toque blanche and tongs for the last time at the Aussie Biscuit Factory. With Dave’s departure goes a big piece of history too not just in Forbes and House With No Steps but in disability in the region. Yet instead of focusing on endings Dave Ryan is excited to be moving onto the next chapter of his life.

“I enjoyed it but it’s time to call it a day,” Dave said.

“It was a big part of my life but it’s done now.

“Time to do other things,” he said.

For Currajong Residential Team Leader Donna Little it’s a day filled with pride for how far Dave has come and all he has achieved.

“Dave has always liked having a go and made friends everywhere he went from House With No Steps/ Aruma to Currajong and everywhere in between,” Donna said.

“I know they will all sorely miss him at the biscuit factory.

“He was a big part of the history there,” Donna said.

While Dave has remained a little coy about his future plans he will still remain a participant at Currajong and now have more time to enjoy a range of activities.

“I will be able to do many things now I never had as much time for before such as puzzles and the odd Monte Carlo,” Dave said.

“I’m sure there’ll be other things too.

“I just want to thank everyone – it’s been great!”