Bill Puts at his King Billy Coffee van — having swapped highways for heart-warming chats in the heart of Murchison.
After 20 years of open roads and long hauls, Murchison local Bill Puts was ready for a change.
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Seeking a slower pace and a deeper connection to community, he traded truck driving for coffee making — and hasn’t looked back.
He purchased a towable two-wheeled coffee van, gave it a catchy name — King Billy Coffee— and set off on his next big adventure.
But this new chapter turned out to be much more than he ever expected.
Gone were the long, lonely road trips. In their place, Bill found something even more rewarding in connections, conversations and a renewed sense of mateship.
Now, three years on, King Billy Coffee has become a fixture in Murchison’s main street — and not just for people passing by.
It’s become a regular meeting spot for a group of local men who gather most mornings to start their day with a hot drink and a good yarn.
“It’s become more than just a coffee stop — it’s a meeting place,” Bill said.
“A space to check in, catch up, show support and simply enjoy being mates among mates.”
The men come from all over — some live in town, others out on nearby farms. Some are retired, others still working. On certain days, Bill said, there could be up to 20 men gathered at once.
The car park is full, the banter is loud, the coffee is hot — and the support is real.
When asked what they chat about, Bill laughed.
“It’s secret men’s business,” he said.
“We talk about all sorts of things — there’s always something happening. Some days I can’t keep up.”
While The News was at the van, Murchison local Kerry Brown stopped by to grab a coffee for her husband.
Due to battling cancer — and the colder weather — he hasn’t been able to come down for a few weeks.
Kerry said he really missed the social aspect.
“I think he was probably the noisiest out of all the guys who come down here — he’s really missing it at the moment,” she said.
“It’s a good group of guys, and Wayne has felt truly supported by all of them.
“It’s not easy going through cancer, but to have a group of mates you can openly speak with has been great for him.”
Beyond the banter, advice and morning rituals, Bill’s van also serves as a mini information hub.
With no information centre in town, King Billy Coffee often becomes the go-to spot for local flyers and community updates for those passing through.
The van operates four days a week in Murchison and regularly appears at events across the Goulburn Valley — from footy games to community events.
Bill is also passionate about giving back. He donates 10 per cent of his profits to local football clubs, supports schools with vouchers and lends a hand wherever he can at community events.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about community,” Bill said.
“Whether it’s the men who meet up down here, supporting the local school, or helping out at events — being a part of it all is the best part.
“The gathering of men is probably a bit of a drawcard for people passing by. They see a bunch of blokes around the van and think, ‘What’s happening there? That coffee must be good.’
“I don’t know … but hey, it feels good to be a part of it all — and if it starts with a coffee and ends with a laugh, then I reckon we’re doing something right.”
A regular morning ritual — local blokes gather around Bill’s van for coffee, connection and plenty of laughs.
From caffeine to camaraderie — King Billy Coffee has become a daily hub for mateship in Murchison. Pictured are Peter Hunter, Rick Munday, Charlie Ash, Bill Puts, Peter Catanach, Kerry Brown and Paul Brown.
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