Asatisfying career of serving the rural community is drawing to a close for Millicent Nutrien manager Richard North.

After almost half a century in the same line of work, Richard cleared out his desk on Friday at the McIntyre Road branch.

He is using up his long service leave entitlements ahead of his official retirement around Christmas.

As his wife Sue retired from nursing two years ago and their two children are grown up, travelling is a priority in the years ahead.

Richard’s other pastimes of fishing and Millicent Lions Club membership will also receive attention.

He has no regrets about joining the stock firm then known as Bennett and Fisher in his home town of Kingston in 1977.

Richard had just completed his secondary education and was encouraged to apply for the ‘accounting junior’ position by his Scout master.

He was also the Bennett and Fisher branch manager at Kingston.

As is the work pattern with stock firms, frequent transfers were undertaken early in his career.

After Kingston, Richard served at Yorketown, Crystal Brook, Broken Hill and Jamestown.

His career came full circle when he was posted back to Kingston in the late 1980s.

The last shift was to Millicent in 1992.

Along the way, Richard was a merchandise and livestock salesman and the company underwent a number of ownership and name changes.

The opportunity to become Millicent branch manager arose 12 years ago after Jim Noonan stepped down.

The company has traded in Millicent since 1900 and Richard took overall responsibility for the branch’s 12 staff and such departments as merchandise, wool and fertilisers.

“It was a challenging move to become manager but I received good support from the company,” Richard said.

“There was always someone to talk to.”

Another major task during Richard’s time as manager was to oversee the branch’s move from Mount Gambier Road to McIntyre Road in 2017.

He certainly has no regrets about his career choice nor their decision to settle in Millicent.

“The best part of my career has been working with different people,” Richard said.

“Millicent is a very sound and productive area and we do not have the extremes of droughts and floods.

“It consistently produces good quality stock and crops.

“Nutrien is introducing a great deal of new technology and the company is client-focussed.”

During his final week as manager, Richard was shadowed by his successor Andrew Kleinig.

Burra-born, Andrew is a 30-year veteran of the stock and station business and holds a real estate licence.

Most recently, Andrew was the owner/manager of the Nutrien franchise at Eudunda.

He is married to a teacher and their children are grown up.

The couple have already purchased a home in Millicent.

“The Nutrien business in Millicent is going well,” Andrew said.