TIME TO RETIRE: Trevor Bosher has retired after 47 years as a director of Crawford Dowling, after starting off as an office boy. PHOTO: JEREMY BANNISTER.
LOYAL service is what Trevor Bosher provided to Crawford Dowling for about 47 years.
The 66-year-old retired last week from his role as a director for the Ballarat company, although he hadn't always been in such a highly regarded position.
"When I started, I was employed as an office boy," Mr Bosher said.
"I remember applying when the job was advertised in the local rag and I missed out. But I applied the next year and from there on in I've been working there.
"I was in the office for about 12 months and then I went to do some outside work."
Mr Bosher witnessed a lot of changes during his times there but he recalled some of the biggest adjustments he and the company had to go through.
"When I started, we were dealing with pounds, shillings and pence then we had to go to dollars and cents," he said.
"It was also a pretty big change when the swap was made to per kilo instead of per head with cattle and pigs."
Director chief executive officer Norman Mott said Mr Bosher had been the backbone of the company .
"We've been through some difficult times, and it was Trevor that carried us through," Mr Mott said.
"He's leaving tough shoes to fill but we've taken on his son who will be perfect to carry on his role."
Although Mr Bosher has full faith in his son, he doesn't know if anyone will fully carry on his legacy.
"No one ever will be as good at the job as I was ... but you have to make room for the young ones," he said.
Now Mr Bosher hopes to enjoy life as a retiree, getting jobs done and travelling.
"The wife has a list of jobs for me I'm doing painting and rubbing down windows. I've never done that before.
"The penny hasn't quite dropped yet, I'm sure it will sink in soon. I'll still have a bit to do out there and I'll keep in contact with everyone."
He doesn't know how many people he has met through the job, but estimates hundreds and hundreds.
"I've met a lot of terrific people, especially when I was on the road, I was meeting people all the time."