As most people in Queensland’s world of top level executive hire knew, if you were shortlisting for a chair or CEO in the realms of tourism, travel and its associated industries, you’d look no further than Steve Gregg, whose 40 years of greasing the wheels of the tourism industry in a variety of important roles gave him an incomparable insight into the intricacies of the game.
What was lesser known about Steve’s stellar career were his mentoring skills and his guidance of community organisations through the pitfalls of funding and organisational issues, particularly in relation to the sporting passions that drove him, among them bushwalking, kayaking, running, cycling and, above all, surfing, which was primarily where his life and mine intersected.
Stephen Gregg, who passed away at his Sunshine Beach home last week after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer, aged 73, was a great leader, a fine man and a stoked grom until the day he died.
There are many others in this town who know far better than me the surfing stories this Brisso accumulated since he started coming to Noosa almost 60 years ago, but in my experience of him, in the water, in the boardroom and over coffee or a beer, this was a man whose word was his bond, and whose wise counsel could be trusted.
Steve offered advice and helped engineer solutions on several occasions when the Noosa Festival of Surfing was struggling, and he was with us at Noosa Council chambers in December 2013 for the inaugural steering committee meeting that would ultimately see Noosa become the 10th World Surfing Reserve six years later.
In the wider world, Stephen Gregg held senior positions that included chief executive officer of Tourism Queensland and Dreamworld, chair of Tourism and Events Queensland, chair of Queensland Rail, and chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, as well as executive positions in Far North Queensland.
In the midst of all this activity, he also found time to help out locally, serving on the board of Tourism Noosa from late 2016.
Former Tourism Noosa chair Drew Pearson described Stephen’s passing as a great loss.
“As a member of the Tourism Noosa Board, Stephen brought extensive experience from his former roles with Tourism Queensland. His knowledge of the tourism industry was extraordinary. Steve was thoughtful, measured, calm and particularly astute.
He made an enormous contribution to the tourism industry and was highly respected by everyone who knew him.”
In a statement last week, Tourism Tropical North Queensland noted: “Stephen moved mountains for our industry in his calm and thoughtful way, and we say goodbye to our valued friend and mentor, one of the true gentlemen of tourism.”
Current QTIC chair Elsa Dalessio said: “His quiet leadership and thoughtful resolve touched many within our nation’s tourism sector. The various significant outcomes he achieved for tourism will have a ripple effect that stretches across generations.”
Stephen Gregg is survived by wife Christine, four daughters and six grandchildren.
His daughters posted the following on social media: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our incredible husband, father and grandfather. Dad remained in his beachside home until the end, listening to his records and surrounded by family.”
Friends are invited to join the family for a memorial service to celebrate Stephen Gregg’s life at Sunshine Beach Surf Club, 10.30am, Tuesday 27 September.
