Retirement is in sight for Jill Hosking as she retires from her job at Kevin Paisley Mount Gambier after working at the store for 20 years.

Ms Hosking has worked in the optical profession for 50 years.

Her career began at Laubman and Pank Optometrists, where she worked for 30 years, before moving to Kevin Paisley when the store opened in 2001.

She was a manager for 16 years and worked as an optical dispenser for the last four years.

Ms Hosking said she was ‘very spoiled’ by the Kevin Paisley staff on her last day of work, who gave her a bunch of flowers, a cake and organised a farewell dinner.

She said optics had changed significantly over her five decades in the industry.

“When I first started it was fairly small, we used to dress in nurse’s uniforms, all white, we were very clinical,” she said.

“We did not have a lot of choices in frames to select from, whereas now there’s hundreds and hundreds of them.

“I have certainly seen a lot of changes over the years with lenses and frame styles, it’s certainly come a long way since I first started.”

Ms Hosking said her career was a very rewarding experience and she had worked with some great people.

“I have been fortunate enough to work with Kerry and Brad for over 30 years, the three of us came from Laubman and Pank to work for Kevin Paisley,” she said.

“And I have worked with Julie Gosling for 19 of the 20 years I have been here, they’re great people to work with.”

Ms Hosking said the store had many lovely clients and she had founder herself dispensing glasses for the grandchildren of clients that had followed her from Laubman and Pank.

Ms Hosking said she loved her job and enjoyed helping people with their vision, different looks and making their lifestyle easier.

“Once I started, it was just something that I did love,” she said.

“It’s been a great career, I have really enjoyed it.”

Ms Hosking plans to travel with her husband, spend time with her grandchildren in Adelaide and take some time off to relax.

“I have been very fortunate to work with a good company and some great people,” she said.