A Tribute to Stephanie

We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Stephanie Simpson while hiking in New Zealand, and our heartfelt condolences go to her parents Sally and Trevor, siblings Natalie and Elizabeth, her broader family and her partner, Ryan.

When Steph set course for Australia in 2018, we had the luck of being the first family to host her through the Workaway program.

She arrived bursting with good vibes and curiosity about the world and people around her. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

Stephanie’s love for nature extended into an easy understanding and flair for nature conservation. From the get go, she just got it, and we had fun talking about ways she could also pursue a new goal of working in marine conservation.

By day, Steph studied Australian flora and fauna, set to work planting palm trees and pineapples, and started to build a sanctuary for the endangered local Birdwing Butterfly.

She synched up with the rhythm of the rainforest and embraced the philosophy of Plum Gorgeous.

Then she would knock off work and head out for adventures across the Sunshine Coast – visiting the glasshouse mountains, biking the local trails and running through the national parks.

Stephanie and India in the Sunshine Coast hinterland

Or spend sunny afternoons relaxing by the pool, sipping on prosecco.

“You haven’t had it?!” I remember Steph squealing as host, Jana, read the label and asked about the enticing new brand of bubbles.

“Oh go-orn then, best give it a go! Back home, prosecco’s so popular, you can hardly find it to buy it anymore,” she laughed.

Since those lovely afternoons spent chatting in the sunshine and snacking on Steph’s signature pistachio-carrot cake, whenever a cork pops at Plum Gorgeous, you’ll hear a clink of glasses and Jana attempting her best Essex accent to say “oh go-orn then…”

Stephanie was a delight to get to know and, meeting at the beginning of her trip, it was clear her world was about to burst wide open in new ways. So it was lovely to follow her adventures around Australia and across the ditch, including teaming up with Ryan on the ski fields at Falls Creek.

In Queensland, we’ll be planting a tree in her memory – the Eucalyptus deglupta, known as the Rainbow Gum.

Like Steph, the Rainbow Gum isn’t native to these parts. Of 700+ eucalyptus species, it’s among just a handful that don’t occur in Australia, and it’s the only eucalyptus indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere.

But like Steph, the Rainbow Gum is sure to fit in, stand out, light up the environment, and make people smile.

This weekend, Jana spoke with a local artist about creating a brushed metal butterfly sculpture, engraved with Stephanie’s name, to mark her Rainbow Gum.

The tree will be planted near the entrance to the butterfly sanctuary, where it will grow under the watchful eyes of fellow Workaway conservation volunteers in years to come.

If Stephanie’s family would ever like to visit her Rainbow Gum, and see some of the places she worked and visited on the Sunshine Coast, we welcome you anytime.

We feel so lucky to have been a pin-point on her adventure map, and our thoughts are with all her friends and family, grieving her loss worldwide.

As Jana summed it up in her feedback to Workaway at the time: “Stephanie lit up the universe with her cheeky smile and generous heart. She will always be remembered here.”

Written by Hannah 💛