LONG-serving photographer and Port Macquarie News legend Peter Gleeson took his last photo for the masthead on Friday.
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After 27 years with a camera around his neck, the man they call Gleeso is moving on from the paper.
He began work on May 30, 1989 as one of his favourite songs, Guns n Roses' Patience, was a hit on the airwaves.
Pete has worked with about 60 journalists and nine editors over the years.
Pete has been chased by an elephant, escaped a hot air balloon crash and threatened with his life.
His response when the fisherman threatened to kill him if he took the shot was "smile".
Pete has had a rollercoaster ride.
"It's been a pleasure to photograph that many people and events in the town," he said.
"I've seen immense changes in Port Macquarie."
He's done it so long that multiple generations have succeeded on the other end of his lens, especially in sporting circles.
"I love photographing sport," Pete said.
"It's been great seeing footballers and then their sons do well on the field."
Pete has seen Port Macquarie lad Matt Banting grow into a phenomenal sportsman.
"I remember taking a pic of him checking the surf when he was a little tacker," he said.
His career highlight was definitely the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Pete covered a range of sports at the Games, and was there when Grant Hackett and Kieren Perkins had that famous duel in the 1500 metre freestyle final.
It's just a shame Pete doesn't have any shots of that night.
"It was the only job I've been on where my card corrupted," he said.
"I lost everything. I was gutted."
The pictures he came back with on other days were used on the front pages of metropolitan papers and the daily games souvenir.
Then news hound also has a love for breaking stories.
"When the tattoo shop in town burnt down, I was there before the owner of the shop turned up," Pete said.
The photo he took of the owner's reaction that morning won Pete an award.
Port News editor Tracey Fairhurst paid tribute to Pete for his outstanding career in the industry.
"A storyteller behind the lens, he has been a part of the lives of countless individuals as they experience some of their most joyous and tragic moments," she said.
"The triumphs and losses, the cheeky smiles, politicians' handshakes, bodies in action on the sports field.
"The cracking moments that 'just happen' and get your heart racing, he was there. Calm, aware, and always showing the greatest respect."
You will still see Pete's face around Port Macquarie. He will just have a different camera in his hands.
Pete's last job was hardly an adrenaline rush - it was the final of the NSW women's state bowls carnival at Port City.
As they sent their shots down the green, it was the end of an era for the Port News. Pete will be missed.
