Stephanie shared insights into her diverse background, from accounting and audit work to her roles in various industries, emphasizing how her life path led her to Puffing Billy through her passion for the local community and her skillset.
She humorously described her role as the "Chief Everything Officer," responsible for a wide range of duties including drug and alcohol testing, managing liquor licenses, meteorology, technical railway knowledge (like fish plates and fusible plugs), and sorting rock from coal—highlighting her willingness to learn and adapt.
Stephanie recounted her early career aspirations to become a teacher, her journey through accounting working in audit, and then in private SMEs, gaining valuable skills in negotiation, collaboration, and fearless decision-making.
She explained her connection to the local community, having grown up in the area and working part-time at Safeway in Belgrave. Her passion for Puffing Billy was fuelled by its historical significance, community role, and status as a top tourism attraction, drawing comparisons with Sovereign Hill and Phillip Island. She detailed key facts about Puffing Billy: its 125-year history, service to regional industries, and current operations, including passenger numbers, major events, and community engagement. The team comprises 140 staff and 350 volunteers, whose dedication keeps the railway operational and magical.
Stephanie expressed proudly that she sees herself as the "magician’s assistant," acknowledging that the true magic is created by the staff and volunteers like Brenda and John.
She closed with a playful challenge, asking the group to identify which piece of rock was coal during her demonstration, reaffirming her humorous and approachable leadership style.
