But after 47 years working in advertising at the ODT, the 64-year-old classified advertising manager is calling it a day.
Mr Dowdall said that, surprisingly, advertising was not his first job.
''I worked at A.S. Paterson's Grain and Seed Merchants first.
''Then I saw a job advertisement in the ODT. It looked like a good place to go - job security and an interesting job.
''There were a lot of young people, a variety of different people working there. That was appealing.''
So at age 18, he started out on the bottom rung of the classified advertising ladder.
In the early 1970s, he branched out into advertising sales, but was asked to return to classifieds later that decade, to be trained to take over from the department head who was resigning.
In the late 1970s, Mr Dowdall was appointed classified advertising manager, a position he has held ever since.
He said the job had thrown some interesting curve balls over the years, particularly when it came to editing classifieds for the sex industry.
''I've had an interesting job, meeting all kinds of people. I've worked with a lot of great people over the years.
''But it's time to leave.''
Mr Dowdall said he had no definite plans for his retirement, but was confident he would not be short of things to keep him occupied.
''I'm just going to cruise. I'm into fishing, cycling, photography, gardening, and I might learn to be a better cook.
''So there will be plenty to do.''
