Several customers visited Mrs Croton at the pharmacy on Friday, wishing her well on her last day.
“I’m on long service leave now until December and then I’ll just fade into the mist,” she said.
“I had planned to retire this year anyway and with everything going on with the COVID situation, now seemed like a good time.
“It’s a strange feeling knowing I don’t have to get up and go to work and it will take a while to sink in.”
Mrs Croton started her career as a pharmacy assistant at 16, working for Winifred Schwartz at Langford’s chemist in Stawell.
“I have worked in pharmacy ever since, although I had about nine years off with my kids,” she said.
“So much has changed over the years. When I started we had to write up all the scripts in a big ledger. The tills weren’t automatic back then either.
“Technology has changed so many aspects of pharmacy work, from tills, processing scripts, ordering and even online training.”
When Mrs Schwartz sold her business to Nigel Paulet, Mrs Croton joined his Amcal store.
“A little while later, Brian Hancock came along and once he took over, it was like a big family,” Mrs Croton said.
“When I was younger I wanted to be a nurse, but once I started working for Brian I was just really happy in my job. I was able to work part time, which suited well with my kids, and I worked with some great people. I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”
Mr Hancock retired last year after 26 years as owner and operator.
Stawell Amcal Pharmacy has rebranded as Stawell Pharmacy, under the Alliance Pharmacy banner.
“It’s quite different working for a big company and it’s been a big transition process, but we’ve gotten used to it now,” Mrs Croton said.
“The pandemic has made things tougher because a lot of people are on edge with the evolving restrictions and we have had to change our procedures accordingly.”
Mrs Croton said clocking off for the last time was a surreal feeling.
“I spent 27 years at Amcal – which is now an Alliance pharmacy – so it will take a while to sink in,” she said.
“I had a few things in mind for retirement, such as a trip to Tasmania with some girlfriends, but of course, that’s been cancelled because of COVID.
“I plan to spend more time with my children and grandchildren in Ballarat when I can and help out with some day care.”
Stawell Pharmacy staff celebrated Mrs Croton’s career at a dinner at Salinger’s Great Western on Friday night.
Retail manager Wendy Cairns said Mrs Croton would be sorely missed by staff and customers alike.
“Nettie has been such an integral part of the pharmacy team for so long now,” she said.
“She is not only extremely knowledgeable and a great resource, she is also a great friend to us all.
“She is kind, considerate and adored by everyone. She’s our go-to lady and her loyalty and kindness shine through.
“She will be missed.”
– Sarah Matthews
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