Local pharmacy queen hangs up the uniform

A MUCH-LOVED Herne Hill local is bidding farewell to her beloved Highton Amcal Pharmacy after 51 years of service.

Sandra Harris is hanging up the uniform after helping three generations of families with their healthcare in the Geelong community.

Mrs Harris began at the Bella Vue Road establishment in 1975 as a junior clerk when she was just 16 years old.

Since taking it on as her first job out of school, the 67-year-old has experienced all there is to the pharmacy domain, barring dispensary work.

She said the customers are the heartbeat of what has kept her in the profession for such a long period of time.

“It’s all about the people,” she said.

“My home is just covered in flowers, cards and more. Last Wednesday when I officially retired was such an emotional day.

“I’ve had so many people come up and thank me. When you’re looking after the third generation of people it’s pretty special.”

During her tenure, the pharmacy has been owned by four separate businesses and became an Amcal only recently.

Mrs Harris said a lot has changed since 1975, but it’s a sense of community that remains vital to its success.

“The shop used to be a lot smaller, we had about five staff running around and three or four pharmacists. From then it’s obviously expanded quite a bit,” she added.

“For me, it’s always just felt like a normal day at work, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge and lots of people have come and gone.

“Now it’s time to do a bit of travel, put the van on and head off a bit with the hubby.”