Derene Christie, a familiar friendly face at the Fiordland Medical Centre reception, has retired after 28 years of service.

A born and bred Southlander originally from Invercargill, Christie married young and moved to Blackmount where her three children were born.

She worked as a teacher aid at the Blackmount School for 25 years before the family moved to Manapouri.

Christie started as a part-time receptionist on 30 June 1993, working three afternoons per week alongside Diana Botting and Barbara Kane.

During her time with the Medical Centre, Christie witnessed many changes.

“We used to do everything by hand – wages, notes for doctors and appointments. Then a new computer system was introduced, and now everything is computerised. The practice has grown; from three doctors, two nurses and three admin staff at the beginning, we now have six doctors, six nurses and six admin people,” she said.

“Moving to the new building was a big event. It seemed so much bigger than the original Medical Centre next door, now we have outgrown it again.”

Another big change was the numbers and the kinds of people seeking medical help.

“I used to be more involved with the patients, then all the different tourists started coming often from different ethnic groups. We had to learn how to treat them tactfully and with respect,” she said.

Six years ago Christie and her husband Bill moved to Te Anau, where they now live.

Asked about the highlights of her job, Christie replied that for her every day was a highlight.

“Because I loved my job. I loved working with all the doctors and nurses. Many of them became friends for life. It's been a wonderful experience.”

Dr Liz Scott, who has been at the Fiordland Medical Centre for over 30 years, says that “Derene has always been great, cheerful and easy to work with”.

Christie will miss the staff, the patients and the routine, and has no big plans for the retirement other than spending more time with her family, relaxing and reading more books.

With three children, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all spread out from Auckland in the north to Invercargill in the south, she will surely have no problem filling her time.