Campbell plans to retire at the year’s end. He will turn 70 next year and feels it is time to step aside from the industry to which he’s devoted four decades. “It is really a way of life,” he said.

“I love the people I work with and the customers we aim to help. I will certainly miss the industry,” Campbell said.

“I will certainly miss these days and I hope they will continue.”

One of the quietly spoken Scotsman’s passions is playing his bagpipes. He regularly plays with the Burns Club Band, and many will have heard his pipes at weddings, the fair, and other special occasions, including a funeral.

The business he works for today has had several changes in ownership. When Campbell began in 1978, it was with stock and station agents in Forbes, called Farmers and Graziers. By the time he came to Goulburn – he took over as merchandise manager from Jim Marshall-Brown – the name had changed to Dalgety Winchcombe FGC.

The merchandising department was on the corner on Clifford and Ellesmere streets, latterly The Greengrocer on Clifford cafe and cyclery, gutted by fire.

Dalgety Winchcombe FGC became Westarmers Dalgety and, when sold by Westpac to AWB (the Australian Wheat Board), became Landmark.

A challenge for Campbell was to encourage customers to accept the business move to the southern edge of town. At the time, many – even some loyal customers – thought the move was crazy.

But over time, it has proved to be a good business decision. The Hume Street site has allowed Landmark to expand, and off-street parking has made it a much more customer-friendly, one-stop, rural service business.

Larger premises meant the business could display more merchandise and keep more stock in store. It became a popular venue for the annual fairs.

“It is not the trading that takes place on the day that is important,” Campbell said, “but the information people take away and use for future decisions.”

When Campbell turned 65, he moved from the merchandise manager’s position into a part-time sales role, but retained his trade fair commitment.

This year’s fair had more than 50 participating organisations, including representatives from government agencies such as the Department of Primary Industries district vet Bill Johnson and student doctors from the ANU Rural Clinical School providing free health checks.