And while Purno won’t be behind the counter, he did hint that the popular cafe was taking on a new direction.

“This wasn’t a planned decision or a long term decision,” he said. “I was actually rehiring staff for the summer, but then I started talking about it (remaining in the business) with my wife.

“I realised I wasn’t quite as enthusiastic. The new operators had an offer, which I accepted.

“I’m looking forward to the new team taking over and enjoying what they do with the place.

“It was just time to let some new young blood take over.”

Back in 1983 when Purnos on the Beach took shape, he had no time frame on keeping the doors open.

“It just worked in well with our commercial cleaning business, the kids were growing up on the beach, and we were getting them through nippers.

“It was an amazing time.”

Along the way, Purno estimates he has employed somewhere between 80 to 100 kids through the shop. Most were from surrounding schools including, Port Macquarie High School, MacKillop College and St Josephs Primary School.

“I am really proud of that aspect of the business. I have really enjoyed that side of things,” he said.

“We were teaching them about the lifestyle. How to communicate with people and hopefully they would move on after they completed their schooling to be more rounded people.

“Working at the cafe, we wanted them to have an ability to communicate with everyone and anyone, no matter the age.

“A lot of young people don’t have that ability and that’s what we wanted to teach them. Simple things like talking with people.”

But he sensed a change and says that surf club cafes need to offer a higher quality of food and service.

“Surf clubs are moving more toward the Queensland-type model and need to offer more than ice creams, drinks and meat pies,” he said.

“We need to become more professional in every aspect of surf club (facilities) and offer more to the public.”

While Purno has pulled up stumps at the cafe and plans to get to the golf course more often, he will be maintaining his long association with the Port Macquarie Life Saving Club.

He will continue selling raffle tickets each Friday night at Finnian's Irish Tavern, which he has done, continuously, for the last 37 years. 

“It’s probably been Finnians for the last 15 years or so and before that it was the Macquarie Hotel and Innes Tavern (in Horton Street),” he said.

“And hopefully I can get through my surf club proficiency and also keep up with my patrols on the beach.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who has helped me over the last 34 years. It’s been a pleasure to be part of the Flynns Beach lifestyle.

“It’s been a great trip and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”