Steve and Gaia farewelled from Ocean Grove community park
Nearly 200 people and 40 dogs gathered to farewell a local “journeyman” Steve and his canine companion Gaia in an emotional community tribute on Saturday.
Nearly 200 people and 40 dogs gathered in Ocean Grove to farewell beloved nomad Steve Burton and his surfing kelpie Gaia in an emotional community memorial service on Saturday.
“Journeyman” Steve, who was “homeless by choice” was born July 30 1956, and died at 69 on November 30 in Geelong hospital, with his niece Grace by his side.
His inseparable companion, 16-year-old kelpie Gaia, was put to sleep shortly afterwards due to severe arthritis.
Following both Steve and Gaia’s cremation, made possible by an anonymous donation, the pair were remembered in a public memorial service where crowds and dogs sat in camping chairs around the Ocean Grove Community Park pavilion.
A banner reading “together forever” hung on the stage, where the pair had often rested during their years living rough between Ocean Grove and Belmont.
The crowd clapped along to the soundtrack of A Star is Born, with some at the funeral likening the atmosphere to a “festival”.
Steve’s long-time friend Jane Carrigg, accompanied by her dog Banjo, told stories of Steve’s visits to her Ocean Grove house, and trips in the car along the coast.
“Part of our bond was our shared love of animals,” she said.
“We always felt safe around him and he felt safe around us.
Ms Carrigg said Steve knew he was cared for in both Ocean Grove and in Belmont.
“He travelled light on the outside but heavy on the inside,” she said.
Steve’s niece Grace Burton, who lives in Melbourne, thanked the two communities for their “moments of care” and the roles they played in her uncle’s life.
“But most of all, for your non-judgemental love for Steve and of course for Gaia,” she said.
Ms Burton said Steve had been a “self-described existentialist” who hated being called homeless.
She said he loved painting and literature, and re-read all the Penguin Classics, every year.
“Uncle Steve used to read the newspaper from the back to the front because he said there was never anything good on the front.
“Ironically, he ended up on it.”
Reading an Edgar Allan Poe poem to farewell her uncle, she thanked him for challenging her perspective on life.
“Thank you, Uncle Steve for being absolutely you,” she said.
Pastor at The Wave Ocean Grove Mark Johnstone thanked the community for coming to celebrate the life of Steve, a “poet” and “artistic person” who had impacted Ocean Grove.
“Steve was a journeyman” he said.
“You’d hear him before you saw him.
“He travelled light and the way he conducted himself spoke to many people.”
“I want to honour our community and the way you have all loved him.
“I want to honour Steve Burton who moved around almost like a pastor to see how we were all going.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the Bellarine, including floral tributes placed at Belmont Kmart where Steve and Gaia sometimes set up.
All funeral expenses have been covered by generous locals, and donations in Steve’s honour can be made to Cherished Pets or Feed Me Bellarine, both on the day and online.
The ceremony ended with the Carlton theme song - recognising Steve’s love of the Blues.
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Originally published as Steve and Gaia farewelled from Ocean Grove community park
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