Hi Steve. You’re a well-known Campbells Creek resident. Were you born locally?
No, I am a twin and my sister and I were actually born at the Bendigo Hospital. I weighed 2 pounds 13 ounces and Karen weighed 3 pounds 14 ounces. We weren’t expected to live and spent our first three months in a plastic humidicrib. I grew up in Castlemaine. I started school at the South School and later attended Winters Flat and Castlemaine High School.
How long have you lived in Campbells Creek?
My wife Kerrie and I settled in Campbells Creek about 27 years ago and raised our two sons there.
What was your first job?
I first worked as a Telegram boy for Australia Post Castlemaine. I started in 1977 and the bike they gave me was 1950s vintage! I recall I had a new outfit for my first day as you did not get a uniform for a few months. One of my first jobs was a deliver an ‘Urgent’ telegram which were placed in a red envelope to a local lady. When I arrived at the house I could hear water running and when I knocked on the door she emerged in a towel. Given the situation she asked me to read the telegram out to her. As I read the telegram which read ‘Unfortunately, your mother passed away this morning’ she dropped her towel in shock. It was the first time I’d seen a naked woman. I took off so fast I got my pants caught in my chain and got grease all over them. Later that afternoon I had to deliver a parcel and when I arrived at that address I came across two naked men sunbathing in their garden. What a day! (Laughs).
How long did you work for Australia Post?
I eventually became a postie riding motorbikes and then I worked my way up to Post Master of Delivery in Bendigo. All up I worked for Australia Post for 20 years.
What did you do after that?
My wife and I ran the mixed business that was the Five Flags General Store for three years. It was previously operated by my wife’s parents Eddie and Marj Farthing in the 1970s. We slept in the same room as her parents did and our boys slept in the room she grew up in.
I later managed the former BP and Castlemaine Tyre Service Centre in Barker Street (where PJs Tyres is now) for 18 months before I followed in the footsteps of my Dad and became a prison officer at Loddon Prison. He attained his 20 year service medal. I am close to receiving mine. My eldest son will receive Pop’s medal and my youngest will receive mine.
You’ve also had a long association with football in the region?
Yes I was involved with the Harcourt Football Netball Club for 16 years, Campbells Creek Junior Football Club for 10 years and then moved on to the Campbells Creek Football Netball Club for 22 years. My Dad played in the last premiership side there in 1953. I believe I may be the only local person to hold four Life Memberships for football with Harcourt FNC, Campbells Creek JFC, Campbells Creek FNC and the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League. My sons both played for Campbells Creek and a few years back they were the first brothers in the club history to take out the Senior and Reserves Best and Fairest honours in the same year. It was a proud moment.
You are known for your role raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease through the annual MND Up the Creek Ice Bucket Challenge.
Yes we held four very successful events and raised a total of $63,000 for this really important cause. I was also honoured to have the opportunity to participate in the Daniher Drive in 2018 with Neale himself. It was one of the best trips of my life.
OK, any other community involvement in this part of the world?
One of my proudest moments was a fundraiser we held for local mum Maggie and her children. Maggie was suffering from cancer and we held the fundraiser to raise funds to support her family. It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen at the Campbells Creek Community Centre and I wore a pink suit provided by Mensland Castlemaine to MC the event.
What’s next for you?
I have a bit of a vision in the pipeline to create a local initiative to enable people with disabilities to try a range of sports for the first time. We have more than 30 local sporting organisations in the region and I would love to pave the way for those with disabilities to be able to try their hand at various sports and help them discover their passion.
Sounds amazing, any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Never judge a book by its cover. It’s what’s inside that counts.
Nice one! Three dream dinner guests?
Neale Daniher, Kevin Bloody Wilson and Nathan Buckley. I am a Collingwood supporter.
Do you have any Pet Peeves?
People who drive too slow!
Who is your favourite musician?
John Denver.
What are you reading at the moment?
I don’t read books. At high school we were forced to read Macbeth and then see a play about it! I only read newspapers – the Herald Sun, Midland Express and of course the Castlemaine Mail.
Just finally then Steve, what do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
I really love where we are living now. We are minutes from town but surrounded by the bush. I love spending time outdoors. I am always in the garden and mowing the lawn. We also enjoy visiting our two gorgeous grandchildren in Queensland.
