The 67-year-old started working at Big W in Port Macquarie in 1992, where she took up employment as a cook in the then snack bar section of the shop.

Prior to that, Bev worked at a Sydney nursing home and the rapport she established with her clients explains why she connected instantly with her older customers.

“The fitting rooms are where I worked for nearly the whole 25 years,” she explained.

“The elderly people use to come and see me at the fitting room, just to help them with their underwear and those kinds of things.

“Helping people is the thing I will miss the most.

“Not being able to go into work like I’ve done for the last few decades really breaks my heart, not being able to see the people I use to see every week and to help.”

Focusing on the positives, Bev said the customers were the best thing about her job, as well as her outstanding fundraising efforts.

“I made a lot of friends.

“They will all miss me, especially the elderly, as they use to ring me up and I use to buy them their items and take it to them on the way home,” she said.

Through her lamington bakes and sausage sizzles, Bev raised thousands of dollars for the children’s hospital and the local fire brigade – simply because she cares.

“I’m proud of all the money I’ve raised.

“It’s something I did for years and years, because I loved doing it and I really love helping people,” she said.

If you have ever walked into a change room to try on an outfit before deciding that you do not want it, spare a thought for people like Bev.

“People are usually pretty good, but sometimes people came in with a trolley full to try clothes on and then leave them all for me to put back,” she laughed.

“I’m going to class myself as semi-retired at 67-years-old, because I just can’t bring myself to retire completely.

“I want to continue to work in the community, to help the community.

“I will do some crocheting, and I might even look for another job somewhere for a few hours a week to help with my pension.”

During her time in retail, technology has been the dominant force behind changes in the industry.

“And those changes have been enormous,” she said.

“Technology has obviously been the big change, as well as staff.

“I’ve seen a lot of people come and go.

“It’s such a great community. People came in to tell me jokes, they would bring me presents and have a chat.

“The poor old darlings will miss me and I will miss them.”