General News
14 November, 2022
Steve steps down after two decades of guiding local tours
Well known local Steve Greenwood has called it a day on his work at the local information centre, capping off more than 20 years as a tour guide and wealth of local knowledge. Mr Greenwood marked his final day at the Central Goldfields Visitor...
Well known local Steve Greenwood has called it a day on his work at the local information centre, capping off more than 20 years as a tour guide and wealth of local knowledge.
Mr Greenwood marked his final day at the Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre last week, bringing to a close his 25-year career at the tourism facility.
Completing his first training course in 1996 before starting work at the centre in 1997, Mr Greenwood has perhaps become best known for his guided tours and is often requested by groups to take them on tours throughout the district.
However, he said it’s an area he came to love by accident.
“I remember one day I was asked by my boss at the time if I wanted to do bus tours,” he said.
“I said it wasn’t really my field and didn’t think I wanted to, and they said ‘guess what, there’s a bus outside and you’re doing it’.
“I did alright on that and bus tours became one of my favourite things to do and from that it went to car tours and walking tours — I’ve enjoyed them all.
“It’s enjoyable because it’s what you make of it, I often bring artefacts I have along to show people as well, we might look at where the old gaol used to be and I’ll bring some things I have from the gaol to show them, it’s a nice touch that adds to the experience.”
First starting as a volunteer himself, Steve progressed through the ranks during his time in tourism, eventually coming to train incoming staff and volunteers alike.
“It was drummed into me in my first job that if you’re going to do a job, do it well and if you’re going to do it, make certain the people around you can do it,” he said.
“That’s the attitude I took with everyone I trained, whether they were volunteers, casuals or part-time, I wouldn’t let them do a job unless I could do it myself.
“I’d get in alongside them and help them out, we all work together as a team and I think being a team is one of the most important things.”
Mr Greenwood said this was particularly the case with the current team of information centre staff and volunteers.
“I couldn’t get a better group of people to work with in Lee Duffin, Andrea Maffescioni and Sally Barby,” he said.
“I’ve worked with a number of people over the years and they’ve all been good, including the volunteers who have been spectacular — I’ve always said the volunteers are worth more than their weight in gold.”
While taking a step back from his work at the information centre, Mr Greenwood will keep himself occupied promoting tourism and the region in his own way.
“We’ve started planning for our 50th bottle show event at the Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles in Clunes, where I’m coordinator,” he said.
“There’s always something happening locally to keep you busy.”