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Q Are You? Get to know more about former City of Greater Geraldton councillor Steve Douglas

Headshot of Kate Campbell
Kate CampbellGeraldton Guardian
Former City of Greater Geraldton councillor Steve Douglas.
Camera IconFormer City of Greater Geraldton councillor Steve Douglas. Credit: Supplied

How did you come to live in Geraldton and how long have you called it home?

My partner (now wife) and I came to Geraldton in 1978 to fulfil our bonded teacher obligation (in those days you had to do two years in the country if you were bonded to the Education Department). Other than a three-year spell in Kambalda (1987-89) we have lived in Gero since. Just about local. Got married and had kids here. Kids have left.

What’s your day job and the best thing about it?

Retired (though almost full-time maintenance worker/handyman) Love the flexibility and the time to do things I really enjoy — catching up with people, golf, travel, photography. I really enjoyed my time on council, helping to shape this great city’s future.

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What do you do for fun?

Golf, travel, photography, watching sport in general, walking our two dogs and generally catching up with or meeting new people.

What’s a habit you would most like to break and one you would most like to start?

Can’t resist sweets, especially choc-coated bullets. Can I win lotto just once? It doesn’t need to be a habit.

Finish this line: Come to Geraldton for the ______, stay for the _______.

Come to Geraldton for your career, stay for the lifestyle. We did!

What’s your most embarrassing moment or something you wish you’d never done?

Probably more than I care to remember. There was a day I was playing cricket for Victoria Cricket Club (now Sportsmans) at Utakarra. We batted first. It was time for the opposition to bat and the usual things happened — field set, batter takes guard, bowler measures out his run up and ump calls play. Now our fast bowler (I still remember it was an ex-student, Clive Edwards) looked at me to throw him the ball — as vice-captain that was my responsibility. Yup, I forgot the ball! Game restarted 15 minutes later when I scrambled home to get some. Needless to say I won our Wood Duck Award that day and I get reminded every time I run into one of the team.

If you weren’t in Geraldton, where would you be?

Probably Perth because that’s where my daughter and young granddaughter, sisters and other family and friends live.

Who inspires you the most?

My now passed away mother. Nelson Mandela and maybe a surprise to some — Greta Thunberg — regardless of your views on climate change, the way she has mobilised youth and others right across the world to care more about our planet is inspiring.

If money was no object, what would you do?

Make sure family were comfortable. Travel, travel and more travel — Antarctica, South America next on list. Complete renovations on our old family house on the legendary Greek island of Ithaca. I would love to set up or support existing foundations to help kids in need through schooling, support options aimed at reducing homelessness, support cancer research, specific community/ environmental projects in under developed countries.

What’s something that never goes out of style and something that should never be in style in the first place?

Never goes out of style: courtesy and respect, smart casual attire, coffee and good times with friends, Eagles winning. Should never be in style: Mullets; selfies; thongs, shorts and singlet (other than at beach).

What song sums up your life right now?

I like listening to Bruce Springsteen’s album, Letter to You, and in particular the song of that title. Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl is another that comes to mind — great memories!

If you want to have a go at Q Are You, send your answers and a high resolution photo of yourself to news@geraldtonnewspapers.com.au

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