009 Celebrating a Legendary Career in Visitor Services (with Elizabeth Curtain)

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“Love what you do, who you work with, and the region you are promoting – what a happy life!” was one of many gold nuggets in this exclusive podcast with Elizabeth Curtain. I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth just before her final day of a 24-year career managing the Geelong Visitor Information Centres.

In a fabulous farewell article from the team at Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine, Farewell Elizabeth. A legend Retires, in the time she has led visitor servicing in the region they had four offices, seven prime ministers and reinvented the whole organisation from Geelong Otway Tourism to Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine.

“Elizabeth has been a constant, leading a merry band of volunteers that now number 130 across seven visitor information centres in Geelong and The Bellarine. Every day, there are 22 shifts on the rosters to be filled. And that’s just the start. Elizabeth has coordinated innovations over the years including greeters for cruise ships, train passengers for special events and flights at Avalon Airport. She’s implemented seasonal information outlets and features at public and trade events.”

I have been humbled to have had this up close and personal time with Elizabeth and so excited to share her story. In this episode, we talk about what led her to tourism, how she attracted and retained such a large number of volunteer staff across multiple Visitor Information Centres and the importance of loving your work!

• Volunteers work for free but not for nothing.
• No individual awards for volunteers – we have always been a team.
• A successful career is shaped by the many hours beyond the call of duty.
• Never send an email that you don’t want the world to see.
• Favourite Quote: My only regret is that I didn’t drink more champagne.