Thomas Edison reportedly dubbed the Linotype machine the "eighth wonder of the world" and Robert Martin thinks the inventor was not far off the mark.
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For 16 years, Mr Martin has preserved the 115-year-old Linotype that sits in Chiltern's heritage-listed Federal Standard building.
And it is with sadness he and his wife Mary handed back their keys to the local National Trust branch at the weekend.
"I was a Linotype operator by trade, and one day we came through Chiltern and noticed the Federal Standard," Mr Martin said.
"We were invited to come have a look and we've been coming ever since."
When the Yarrawonga couple first signed up as National Trust volunteers, Merv Death managed the Federal Standard with his wife Barb.
After the former Border Mail "master printer" died in 2011, the Martins took over management, opening the doors at least once a month.
"We volunteered with them for quite some time," Mrs Martin said.
"Robert loves it with a passion.
"Once people see the Linotype and the big Wharfedale [printing press] going, they take a whole different view."
There are many impressive pieces in the National Trust collection, but the Linotype has a special place in Mr Martin's heart and reminds him of being a 15-year-old apprentice starting with the Yarrawonga Chronicle in 1965.
"I came home from school and mum said 'There's an apprenticeship going at the Chronicle, you're putting in for it," he said.
"You know you're getting old when the machinery you operated in your apprenticeship can now only be seen in a museum.
"The machine itself revolutionised education and information, nearly as much as computers have today, because you could set type so much faster.
"It's a pretty incredible piece of machinery for its vintage - it's had a few issues, but is fully-operational.
Fifteen moving parts are engaged with each key that is pressed (there are 91, including the space bar) in the hot metal typesetting system.
Mr Martin makes sure that visitors see the Mergenthaler Linotype in operation.
"I feel the measure of the appreciation we've got is that we quite often have people putting money in on the way out," he said.
"We had one chap who I didn't think was taking much notice - he didn't laugh at my jokes or anything - and he put $50 in the tin on the way out.
"For the National Trust to preserve all these buildings is incredible.
"With the [Lake View House] homestead, Dow's Pharmacy and the Standard itself, its a terrific place to spend a day.
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"At this stage we don't feel we're up to keep going with it, but we'll see what's happening in the future."
The National Trust is looking for volunteers, particularly those with skills relevant to the Federal Standard - contact (03) 9656 9800.
