Forty-one years after first arriving in the Northern Territory, general surgeon Assoc. Prof. Phillip Carson has retired from clinical practice. He talks about his career highlights in the Top End, including his immense satisfaction being involved with the local and surgical communities of the NT.  Assoc. Prof. Carson continues his active engagement with the College - in surgical education, governance of cancer services, and facilitating the delivery of surgical services across Australia's vast and remote areas.