The Terang Co-Op veteran has sold more than his fair share of pine, potatoes and pants during his 43-year stint at the district institution, which is set to end on December 30.

Mr Hill started with the Co-op in April 1971, straight from being a milker on his Keilambete family farm. “A position became available at the Co-Op,” he said. 

“I didn’t know what department it was but I put in for it and got it. Then I learnt when I got to work on my first day that it was in the menswear department.”

The new role in the era of far-out 1970s fashion was quite a change for the country lad.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Mr Hill said. 

“It was a big change from milking cows. You’re talking to cows out on the dairy farm and you come in here talking to people all day.”

The young Mr Hill quickly adjusted and grew to enjoy the department, where he stayed for 20 years.

He later worked in the grocery department, then went into home deliveries before his final role in the Co-Op’s timber yard. 

“I didn’t think I would, but I liked the menswear department and I’ve enjoyed my time in the timber yard too,” the 62-year-old said.

Mr Hill said the move from docket books to computers was one of the biggest changes in his time at department store.

“When you haven’t grown up with computers and had nothing to do with them, that was a big challenge,” he said.

Mr Hill has been edging towards retirement and has been working three days per week for the past 12 months. 

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet but I think reducing the workload will help with the transition to retirement.”

Although the longest-serving current staff member, Mr Hill falls short of the retailer’s all-time service record believed to be held by Dick Lewis, who was with the Co-Op for more than five decades.