The beloved doctor is hanging up his stethoscope today (August 4) at the Walker Street General Practice in Bowral, after co-founding it in 1993.

His patients and colleagues have known about it for a couple of months, and he has had "mixed feelings".

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"It's been hard to say the final goodbyes, but I am hoping to catch up and say hello to patients in the community," he said.

Dr Pinkstone grew up in Brisbane and studied in Melbourne before a stint as a medical officer with the Australian Air Force.

When asked to assist at a practice on Bowral Street, he did not think he would be in the Highlands for long once arriving in 1987.

"We're well and truly settled," he said, as he spoke about raising his family in the region.

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Travelling overseas to visit his children and spending more time with family are at the top of his to-do list when he retires.

When asked what his highlight has been, apart from the "variety of work" that came through the door everyday, the answer was simple.

"The people I have met along the way are very inspiring - my patients and colleagues," he said.

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"It's been a great privilege."

During his last week on the job, Dr Pinkstone has made sure patients and colleagues are taken care of once he leaves.

He acknowledged that there was "never a perfect time to retire", especially with the strain on general practices and hospitals over the last couple of years.

"It does feel a bit odd, I'm sure I won't realise I'm retired until down the track," he said.

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