A wise old colleague once told Nick Ophir that if he stuck around long enough as a Council lifeguard, he'd end up seeing the kids of today coming back with their own children.
Turns out, that was an underestimation.
After more than four decades keeping people safe at Lake Macquarie beaches and swim centres, Mr Ophir has started to see those same faces from the 1980s return not just with their children, but with their grandkids too.
"I feel very privileged," he said on Friday 14 August as he prepared to enter retirement and spend a little more time with his own five children and four grandchildren, as well as his wife, Margaret, and dog, Luka.
Mr Ophir started with what was then known as Lake Macquarie Municipal Council back in 1982 as a temporary lifeguard during school holidays at Redhead Beach.
In 1985, he gained permanent employment as a relief lifeguard, rotating between beaches and pools before taking up a full-time position at Swansea Swim Centre.
"Back in those days, pool entry fee was 40 cents, coaching and Learn to Swim were leased to contractors, and there were turnstiles for pool entry," Mr Ophir said.
"There were no computers - everything was done with pen and paper."
Mr Ophir moved to Charlestown Swim Centre in 1995 and has remained there since.
"It's all I've really known, and when you think about it, it's a pretty good place to turn up to each day," he said.
"The things I'll miss are not just the people I've worked with over the years, but also the many regulars I see every day. Those relationships and familiar faces have been a big part of what has made the job special."
"After all these years, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work here, meet so many great people and be part of something that has been such a big part of my life."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said Mr Ophir's service to Council and the community represented "an extraordinary achievement".
"Few people have the privilege of seeing children they once welcomed to our pools and beaches return with children and grandchildren of their own," he said.
"On behalf of Lake Macquarie City Council, I thank Nick for his outstanding contribution and wish him and his family every happiness in retirement."
Mr Ophir might be hanging up the lifeguard shirt, but he still plans to keep the swim goggles handy.
"I don't have any real plans for retirement other than spending more time with my wife and our family, doing some travelling," he said.
"And continuing to swim occasionally at Charlestown and Speers Point."
