Peter Morey has only had two jobs in his life, and one of them has come to an end.
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The Head of Maintenance at Scots School Albury celebrated his final day after 23 years on Friday.
"I grew up in Tawonga South and came to Wodonga at 15 to do an apprenticeship in engine reconditioning," Mr Morey said.
"I was an engine reconditioner for nearly 24 years; the last 12 or 13 years, I had my own business.
"I'd just had enough of doing engines, and I had a mate that worked here, and he told me they wanted a cleaning supervisor.
"I thought, why not, let's give it a go.
"They gave me four months to get acclimatised to it and it was fantastic."
Not long after starting, Mr Morey took over maintenance and cleaning for the Scots' boarding houses.
"The kids make your day - when I was up at the boarding house fulltime, you got to know them," he said.
"I missed that when I started running the maintenance.
"The place keeps moving and evolving.
"The science block was built when I came here, the culture centre was opening when I started, they built the big sports centre, and they're getting ready to build a new primary school.
"With the older buildings, there is a lot of upkeep on them now.
"But it adds to the character of the school - you couldn't do without them."
The buildings, ovals and gardens set across 11 hectares have given Mr Morey his fair share of work across the two decades.
A pride and joy have been the rose beds that sit below the four-faced clock tower built to celebrate Albury Grammar School's centenary in 1966 (six years later it amalgamated with Woodstock Presbyterian Ladies College to become Scots).
Alongside big events such as the 150 year celebration in 2016 have been maintenance emergencies.
"We had a bad flood in the culture centre, it went through all the carpet," Mr Morey said.
"A tree came down on a car once.
"I could go home and know what I wanted to do the next day, but it changes so much."
Retiring was an emotional decision for Mr Morey, who plans to do some trips in the caravan, provided the pandemic allows it.
"I think when the grandkids came along in Melbourne, that was a big thing," he said.
"You can Skype them, but you want to be there with them. And I'm not getting any younger - it is a very physical job.
"So I'll work part time and just enjoy it."
Principal Mark Geraets said many staff were sad to see Mr Morey go.
"He'll be very missed, not just for his work but his positive presence," he said.
"He was one of the first people I met when I arrived in January, and I thought if everyone is as positive as this, it will be amazing.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"The best exit interview I've ever had was with this guy."
Mr Morey said it wasn't just his pride in the school, but his relationships with the people, that have made his job so enjoyable.
"The enjoyment of the job - you're out in the fresh air all day - and the camaraderie among the people here are highlights," he said.
"It's been an absolute pleasure."
