By LAURA WAKELY
IBRAHIM Baradi has the dream job of most seven-year-olds and reckons it’s never too cold for ice-cream.
The Delahey resident spends his working hours driving around the state to supply soft serve ice-cream and treats to festivals, beach-goers and parties.
The ice-cream dream began when Ibrahim’s brother-in-law purchased an ice-cream van.
Ibrahim liked the idea and thought he’d see if he could turn it into a full-time job for himself.
Seven years later business is booming and Ibrahim loves his job with Ice-cream Delights.
“The best thing is, you go out,” he said.
“Instead of working in a shop of seven or eight hours where you can’t see anything, or in an office, you drive around here, drive around there.
“It’s fun to go out, see people.”
His wife Souhayla also helps run the business, but it’s their four children who reap the real benefits – bragging rights.
“The kids, they’re always happy, they get free rides, free face-painting all sorts of stuff,” Ibrahim said.
Over the years Ibrahim has collected the ’70s style vans, including a classic 1977 Bedford, that have brought just as many adults to the window as kids, eager for a taste of their childhood.
The retro vans are in high demand for functions and festivals – even films and fashion commercials ask to use the vans as props.
Ibrahim recently sold the Bedford, but is restoring two other classic vehicles for the road.
But before you quit your day job, Ibrahim warned it does have its downsides.
“It’s a hard job when you’re driving all day and serving a lot of people.”
Lots of permits must also be complied with, from health and safety to where you can park and serve in each council area.
But for all that, Ibrahim knows he’s on to a winner.
Recently he drove down to Brighton Beach on a weekend, then thought he better pack up after heavy rain began.
“But from the time I thought I was going to pack up to 7pm at night, it didn’t stop,” he said.
“It’s never too cold.”
