Cheers To The Garbos: Sutherland Shire’s Boxing Day Beer Bonanza

Cove Smithson | Summer Intern Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

26 December 2025

Boxing Day in the Shire isn’t just about cricket and cold ham—it’s the day locals roll out their finest beers to honour the unsung heroes of the holidays: the garbos. This morning, garbage trucks rumbled through the suburbs, not just collecting bins but racking up six-packs faster than a BWS on Christmas Eve.

“It’s like Santa’s sleigh, but for bins and beers,” said Brett “Binsy” McAllister, a veteran garbo. “By 10 AM, the truck smells like prawns and Pale Ale. It’s equal parts disgusting and delightful.”

This year, Shire residents have turned the tradition into a competitive sport. “It’s not just a six-pack anymore,” said Miranda local Tanya Greaves, who gifted her garbo a craft beer advent calendar and a hand-drawn thank-you portrait. “The more effort, the better chance my bins get a ‘VIP empty’ next week.”

Meanwhile, in Caringbah, rumors swirled of a garbo showdown after one driver reportedly “fast-tracked” a bin for a resident who left a slab of imported Belgian beer. “I’m not saying there’s favoritism,” said Geoff Boyd of Kirrawee, who opted for premium whiskey this year. “But my bin lid hasn’t closed properly since Christmas Eve, and it’s looking suspiciously pristine now.”

Not every effort was a success, though. Oyster Bay’s Kevin “Kev-o” Walsh learned the hard way when he left a room-temperature light beer for his garbo. “I thought it’d be fine!” Kev-o exclaimed as his bin sat untouched for the second week in a row. “Apparently, warm beer screams ‘don’t bother.’”

The Shire Council has issued a polite reminder: “While we support showing gratitude, please don’t overload your garbos. They’re here for bins, not brewery logistics.” This follows last year’s infamous incident where a garbo accidentally swapped a bin with a crate of IPA.

As the day winds down, Binsy sums it up: “It’s a hard job, but a cold brew at the end of the route makes it all worth it. Now if someone would just leave a cheeseboard & Christmas pav to go with it…”

Cheers to the Shire’s garbos—true kings of Boxing Day!