Cherie Goodson runs a B&B, cafe and gallery at The Old Railway Station Lancefield and has been doing so for 21 years. The Lancefield resident spoke to Jessica Micallef.
What is your connection to the Macedon Ranges?
I have a strong connection to the Macedon Ranges. I grew up in Lancefield. I originally left Lancefield as a 17-year-old to go to work in Melbourne. But I came back to Lancefield 21 years ago, to what essentially was my home … and started the B&B 21 years ago. I have lived here in Lancefield for most of my life. I have family who own properties in and around Lancefield.
What do you love most about Lancefield?
It is largely unspoiled. The area is extremely rural and slightly suburban. It’s lovely because it is surrounded by hills. It’s a lovely town and it is very pretty. The weather is brisk, it can be quite cold but that is life in country Victoria.
What are you passionate about?
As I am ageing, I am still as passionate about things as I ever was. My brain still goes at 90 miles an hour. However, I am a great advocate for people working as long as they can or want to. I volunteer at the Macedon Ranges Visitor Information Centre, I have been doing that for a few years and I volunteer in Kyneton. It’s something I like to do. I try and give back a little bit and that helps the community as well. Here at The Old Railway Station, that is something that we do here a lot – we deal with a lot of tourists coming into Lancefield because it is only an hour from Melbourne and just over half an hour from the north-west suburbs and we act as visitor information guides here. I have a lot of brochures. So a lot of passion comes into play with promoting the Macedon Ranges as a beautiful part of the world to visit.
Why did you decide to take over The Old Railway Station?
My brother phoned me and asked if I knew The Old Railway Station was on the market. And I caught a train as a child here. I was very interested and tourism is always something that has interested me and 21 years ago there was only one other B&B in the entire Macedon Ranges. It was certainly time for another B&B so that’s how it all evolved.
Have there been any challenges while running The Old Railway Station?
There has been no difficulty that I can say was a monumental task to face. There has been cooperation from everyone. But COVID-19 had a massive impact. When the first lockdown was announced, within the space of three days, all bookings were cancelled. So that had a very big impact financially and it would have had a big impact on every single business within the Macedon Ranges.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
I know a lot of people because I grew up with a lot of people in Lancefield. So they might be supposed to think about a lot of things because I don’t know if I am known personally all that well. But I think they might be surprised that I have a great passion for the Macedon Ranges.
