Mrs. Clifford took up the role in June 1973 when her in-laws, who ran the post office agency at Nulkaba, were approached by the Bureau of Meteorology about recording Cessnock’s rainfall and temperature statistics.

Changes to the bureau’s automatic station at Cessnock Airport means Mrs. Clifford’s 9am and 3pm readings are no longer required.

And while she has thoroughly enjoyed the responsibility over the years, the 79-year-old is looking forward to the freedom.

“It’s a funny feeling – tomorrow is going to be strange,” Mrs. Clifford said on Friday after she took her final 3pm reading (which, by the way was 20 degrees).

“I can go to town before 9 o’clock if I want to!”

Mrs. Clifford has witnessed many changes in technology over the past 39 years. When starting out in 1973, she sent the results via telegram, and has progressed through a few different computer systems.

But she continued to document each reading by hand in her record books, which form an important piece of Cessnock’s history.

Recording the weather has been a big part of her life – “I’ll miss being of service; it’s nice to know when you’re needed,” she said. “But it gets to the stage that I do want time to myself.”

Mrs. Clifford will keep busy going to bingo and old-time dancing, and taking trips with Cessnock Community Transport and the Coalfields Cancer Support Group.