Steve and Gaia – together forever

By Justin Flynn

There are many words you could use to describe Steve, but homeless was not one of them.

He chose to drift, free from mortgage, debt, the daily grind and, with every step, his best mate Gaia by his side. It was always his choice.

Often seen in Ocean Grove, Steve became known to many and once you got past the rough exterior and actually talked to the man, you were rewarded.

Steve passed away early on Sunday morning, and with him to the end and the other side, was Gaia, his devoted 16-year-old kelpie companion.

Immediately an outpouring of grief was felt across the region.

Steve only rarely accepted help, but did what few of us actually really want – lived life the way he wanted.

A drifter maybe. A nomad perhaps. Certainly a free spirit. Steve was himself.

He would often ‘disappear’ for months only for someone to spot him on the ‘other’ peninsula or in Belmont. But he always came back to Ocean Grove. And wherever Steve was, Gaia was there as well.

Steve would often take Gaia for a surf to the delight of those who got to see it.

He didn’t beg. Far from it. Even if he wanted, or needed, to, he always had offers of help from the many who got to know him.

He chose the life of a wanderer and it suited him.

Shelley Carroll knew the man simply known as Steve for about two decades.

“He died warm, safe and pain free with his niece by his side. A true character right to the end,” she wrote on social media.

“Gaia was assessed by local vets and she too has since passed away. Steve and Gaia were a part of the Bellarine Peninsula soul, in particular Ocean Grove.

“He made us laugh, very rarely accepted help and lived life exactly the way they wanted. We will miss them wandering the streets this summer and always.”

A memorial service for Steve is expected to be finalised soon, but Shelley said the family would love the public to attend.