GEOFF Marshall loves nothing more than taking to the roads and exploring the beauty of the Scenic Rim on his Triumph Scrambler 1200.
With his iPhone in hand, he’s ready to capture the glorious landscapes that unfold around him.
He and his partner, Anita Fenton, immigrated to Australia in 2004 from the United Kingdom seeking a better place to bring up their two children, who were only one and three when they arrived.
The family initially moved to Brisbane, but after two years struggling with the heat, they visited Tamborine Mountain and decided it was more amenable, although Geoff admits he still finds the summers too hot.
The young family bought a block of land and built a house which has a become a multi-generational home with mum and one of their daughters still living with them.
In the United Kingdom Geoff had worked as a quality control manager for the aerospace and automotive industry.
When he was made redundant from his job in the automotive industry on the Gold Coast he applied for a job as a bus driver with Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association (TMCCA).
Three months later the manager resigned, and he applied for the job he’s now held for 15 years.
“I’ve enjoyed the job that much the time just seems to have disappeared,” Geoff said.
“The work is a complete change from engineering and I never envisaged myself working in the aged care industry, but it has been a revelation and a very enjoyable experience. It is very rewarding seeing what you do with a team of dedicated staff and volunteers to help support the aged members of your community to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible rather than entering permanent residential aged care.
“There have been many changes in the aged care industry in those 15 years, with three major changes during that time and we will soon be going through another major change.
“Not all of those changes have been great, sometimes the change is to the detriment of the industry and impacts the clients receiving services.
“For in home care services that TMCCA provide, the next major change is scheduled to be implemented no earlier than July 1, 2027. It will be interesting to see what changes will be introduced.”
Geoff is also responsible for overseeing the popular Tamborine Mountain Repair Café, which promotes repairing things rather than tossing them out.
Locals can bring their broken items to fix with the help of a team of skilled voluntary repairers and it’s all free.
The Repair Café has become so famous it has even featured on television and radio shows.
When Geoff shuts the doors to his office it’s time to don his riding leathers or put on his gardening gloves.
“I enjoy the freedom a motorcycle provides, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Scenic Rim which has some great motorcycling roads. I often take rides out to Boonah, Rathdowney and surrounds or down through the Numinbah Valley and over the border into Northern New South Wales visiting places such as Tyalgum and Murwillumbah,” he said.
“I’m a dry weather rider but have been known to ride in snow and ice when in the UK. If it’s the only form of transport you have then you use it! I have the luxury of choice now and can take four wheels instead of two when the inclement weather is with us.”
Geoff is also a woodcarving enthusiast, a hobby he’s had for about 30 years.
“I am self-taught and enjoy the creativity it provides. It’s a dying craft and I’m doing my little bit to try and keep it alive,” he explained.
“I have provided woodcarving lessons to a few people recently and hope to continue to teach the craft a little more as I near retirement. I carve mostly in Australian timbers and particularly enjoy carving Tasmanian timbers such as Blackheart Sassafras, Huon Pine and King Billy Pine, a very rare timber which is difficult to get hold of.”
Although not a fan of social media, Geoff admits he uses Facebook and Instagram (Out of the Wood) to promote his work to a wider audience and enjoys getting commissions from people looking for one-off handmade artwork.
Geoff’s beautiful photos adorn the walls at TMCCA and each November the centre holds an arts market where he sells some of his photos.
His newest hobby is teaching himself to play the guitar, but he admits he’s unlikely to get a career out of it.
