After more than four decades keeping swimmers safe across Lake Macquarie, long-serving lifeguard Nick Ophir is hanging up his shirt and diving into retirement.
Mr Ophir has spent more than 40 years working at the city’s beaches and swim centres, watching generations of local families grow up along the way.
A colleague once told him that if he stayed in the job long enough, he would eventually see children return with families of their own.
More than four decades later, some of those children are now bringing their grandchildren.
“I feel very privileged,” Mr Ophir said as he prepared to retire on Friday 14 August.
His career with the then Lake Macquarie Municipal Council began in 1982, when he worked as a temporary lifeguard at Redhead Beach during the school holidays.
He gained permanent employment as a relief lifeguard in 1985, rotating between beaches and pools before taking up a full-time position at Swansea Swim Centre.
A lot has changed since then.
“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, where he remained for the rest of his career.
“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.
But it is the people, rather than the pools, he expects to miss most.
“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,” Mr Ophir said.
“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 described Mr Ophir’s service to council and the community as 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 will now have more time to spend with his wife Margaret, their five children and four grandchildren, as well as the family dog, Luka.
Travel is also on the agenda, but retirement will not keep him away from the water altogether.
“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.”
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