Ros Millerd rang off the till for the last time at Karen Carter Chemist on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Gunnedah woman has been a familiar face in the local pharmacy for the last 34 years but is now ready to step into retirement.
Ros has spent more than 40 years in pharmacy altogether, starting out at the age of 18 in Narrabri, working alongside pharmacist Bruce Ireland.
At 19, she moved to Sydney and took up a job at David Glover's Pharmacy in the CBD where she stayed for more than four years. Not long after she settled in, she met her husband-to-be, Keith Millerd.
Ros moved to Gunnedah in 1975 and was offered a job by Peter Dennis at his local pharmacy. Two years later, she married Keith and in 1979, the pair welcomed their first child, Dane, into the family.
Ros stayed on at Peter F Dennis Chemist until 1982, and in 1983, the Millerds had their second child, Abby. That same year, the family moved to Narrabri where they opened up a pizza shop.
In 1985, the Millerds moved back to Gunnedah and within a month, Ros took up work at the chemist once again.
I will miss the customers who I have formed friendships with over the years but most of all I will miss my workmates.
- Ros Millerd
Karen and David Carter purchased the pharmacy in 2000 and Ros stayed on in her position.
Ros has taken on a number of roles over the years but said cosmetics and beauty had "always been my forte".
"I believe service is the most important thing you can provide [and it] has always made my job so rewarding," she said.
The local has seen "many changes" in pharmacy over the past 40 years, and said protocols and practices were "very strict" now compared to the earlier years.
"I believe pharmacists still remain the first point of contact for people seeking advice and that's why pharmacy is one of the most trustworthy professions," Ros said.
"The staff training in pharmacy now ensures the customer receives the best advice and service."
As Ros reflected in her last days at the chemist, she said she would miss what she had come to know but was looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren and travelling with Keith.
"I leave today with mixed emotions and a heavy heart," she said.
"I will miss the customers who I have formed friendships with over the years but most of all I will miss my workmates who are also my great friends and like family.
"I have been fortunate to have had wonderful, caring employers over the years and the last 19 years with Karen and David [Carter] have been an absolute pleasure. [They] are more my friends than employers."
Did you know Ian Doyle also retired this year? Read his story here.