Filipino native, Sisay McLearn, has been calling Ayr home for just on 15 years now. In that time, she floated between Townsville and Ayr, but has been running a successful kebab business in Ayr for the last five years.
“Sometimes I go to Townsville, but my business is here in Ayr, which is close to five years old. But mostly I live here in Ayr and have done so for 15 years,” Sisay smiles.
Sisay, who’s also been married for 15 years, has one child and a one-year-old grandchild. She lived in the Philippines for 20 years.
“I lived in the Philippines for 20 years before I came here to Australia in 2005. It's beautiful here in Ayr compared to my country. It’s quieter and prettier in the Burdekin than in my home country.”
“Here it's nice in the Burdekin and the people, they’re really, really lovely. I enjoy their company, especially all my customers here, they are really good.”
Prior to living in Ayr, Sisay lived in Townsville for five years, but she’s also travelled to Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Canberra before setting up shop in Ayr and starting her business here.
“I don’t travel much now due to business commitments, but before, I visited Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and also Cairns. Nice places but I like it here in Ayr so much more,” she laughs.
What Sisay most loves about Ayr, is not just its beauty as a small country town, but the people. While she’s never faced any problems living here, she finds the people really help each other, especially given the recent rains and floods in the area.
“The people here in Ayr, and the Burdekin, are really nice. They are very helpful. You see it most in times like now with all the rain. I feel very lucky to be here,” Sisay says.
Sisay’s kebab shop is the only business open at night, which has proved to be a very popular spot for locals, as Sisay explains.
“We operate from 10am to 3am, where it is busy on Friday and Saturday nights. We are the only shop open during these hours on weekends. Our customers all come from the three pubs in the area. We enjoy the company of our customers, some I have even made many friends with,” she giggles.
Sisay McLearn, doing her thing for 20 years. Photo: Mark T. Rasmussen
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