Mills (73) has been a familiar face at Otago and Southland race meetings over the last 21 years, but all that will end when he hangs up his clipboard and finishes his job as the clerk of the scales on July 28.
''I haven't had a late New Year's in 21 years,'' Mills said.
''The wife is suggesting that we're going to this year.''
Mills had taken early retirement from the Otago Area Health Board in 1993 and it was his association with the Waikouaiti Racing Club as a committee member which led to the clerk of the scales job.
''I said to John Rosevear, who was secretary at the time, were there any part-time jobs going I'd be interested in and this came up,'' Mills said.
Mills' brief for 14 years initially covered the Otago Racing Club and Waikouaiti club meetings before his job ''slowly expanded'' to Central Otago and North Otago.
''Then seven years ago, Doug Stuart phoned me and asked me if I could help out [in Southland] for three months. That lasted seven years.''
The role is fairly static, as jockeys are constantly checking themselves on the scales, so the clerk needs to be at their post throughout a race meeting.
But the flip side is the constant interaction with jockeys - and Mills has checked off scores of riders in his time.
''When I look at the North Island races, in some races there are three-quarters [of the jockeys] that have ridden down here over the years,'' he said.
''I think I've had a good relationship with the jockeys - they're a good group to work with. I enjoy seeing the young ones develop. They start at 15 and 16 and you just see how the progress as a jockey and a person.''
The clerk of the scales is in charge of checking riders have their correct gear with them, and making sure they match up to their carded weights.
''There are certain items of gear in the saddle that you've got to record to make sure they're carrying it, and to make sure they've got everything they're required to have on their saddle and their vest.
''One change there has been that when I first started, only the first six jockeys had to weigh back in after the race, but now everyone has to weigh in and out.''
Applications for the clerk of the scales role close tomorrow.
Mills has offered to help out with training his replacement, but other than that, he would not be surprised to find himself back at the races in a spectating role.
''I think that I'll be a bit bored looking for something to do - I'm not used to having a free day.
''I think the wife [Carollyn] has a lot of jobs around home [to do] - the maintenance list is not getting any shorter.''
''But there'll be a bit more flexibility getting around not tied to the race meetings.''
Mills' last day on the job is at Wingatui on July 28.
''It's not as enjoyable in the winter and there's some fairly cold working conditions at times. But I've enjoyed it - I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't enjoyed it. There's a good team of other officials to work with, too. They're quite supportive if there are any issues you have at the scales.''
