After three decades and numerous roles retirement calls

Jason Tozer

Mr Nicol's most recent role has been as graphic designer for the Division of Communication and Education Photo: Kimberly Douglas

12 December 2006: After 30 years with the University Alan Nicol says though he'll miss it greatly, now is the logical time in his life to retire.

Mr Nicol joined the University of Canberra as a technical assistant in biology in 1973, when it was still known as the Canberra College of Advanced Education, and says a lot has changed since then.

"Things have got bigger - in those days there were only a couple of buildings," he said.

"The development in technology has also been significant when I first started handheld calculators were guarded in locked cabinets and now they give them away in cornflake packets."

After five years within the science division, Mr Nicol took a job with the school of education videoing trainee teachers.

"I applied for that job and luckily got it because I had some knowledge and interest in video and photography," Mr Nicol said.

"After a year they made the position permanent, and I got more and more involved with the video side of things."

Mr Nicol worked with members of the Education faculty to build up a respected production unit making videos to help educate preschool children in aspects of science.

"We made many videos which were sold around the US and Australia and we sold many thousands to the Queensland education department," Mr Nicol said.

"We used all the money made to feed back in to buying more equipment until we had slowly built up a nice little production unit."

Taking advantage of a benefit in his superannuation scheme Mr Nicol said that now seems the right time to move into the next stage of his life, though he will always keep in contact with the University.

"Having been here that long it seems like a logical time to move on and take advantage of what's on offer," he said

"What I'll miss most is the people, so I intend to keep in touch and come back."

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