The strains of Greensleeves echoing amongst the bay breezes, bringing joy and whimsy along with blissful memories from childhood. This is the enchantment Stephen Brooks delivers from his retro Softy & Frosty ice-cream van. Many Wynnum Manly Baysiders and visitors have had the delight of being served a cone of traditional soft vanilla whipped ice cream from his van at Pandanus Beach and Playground.
“Classic Choc Tops are the most popular” says Stephen or 99’s (UK fans know what I mean) , sprinkles and pink sherbet toppings also a big hit with adults as well as children. The vintage style van brings back memories to adults who take their children and grandchildren for a special whipped ice cream served from a van. “It’s the nostalgia that attracts them” says Stephen who will often play the iconic Greensleeves tune on request to add a bit authenticity.
For locals with a long memory, Stephen’s family ran the original ‘Beachcombers’ fish and chip shop on the Wynnum Esplanade where he would often help out. This led to a career in hospitality starting at the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club.
But owning an ice-cream van was always a childhood dream for Stephen who, as a boy, would run with his older brother to the chimes of the ice-cream van, chanting that one day he would have his own ‘Mr Whippy’ style van. He realised his dream in 2019 when he purchased an original UK Mr Whippy van and made it Bayside’s very own Softy & Frosty, “It’s the happiest job in the world – who else gets to put a smile on everyone’s face every day at work?”
Stephen refurbished a second ice-cream van in 2023 to accommodate special events with his wife Michelle helping out. They cater to all kinds of events such as fetes, birthdays, weddings, worksites and on occasion attend church to celebrate the life of a loved one whose last wish was to make people happy. His van has featured in commercials and films – and appeared in the hit Netflix series ‘Boys Swallows Universe’.
Stephen and Michelle love Wynnum and their community and aims to give locals and visitors the experience and special memory of a traditional soft service ice cream from his retro Softy & Frosty vans.
