The Story of Trish Stamp Travel Founder - Rotarian Trish Stamp
Sometimes the best careers begin completely by accident — although in Trish Stamp’s case, determination, intelligence and a sense of adventure were already shaping her path long before she entered the travel industry.
During her school years at Toorak College, Trish excelled academically, receiving the Year 12 End of Year Mathematics Award. At a time when very few young women pursued technical fields, she then went on to study Mechanical Engineering for two years at Caulfield Technical College — a significant achievement that reflected both her ability and pioneering spirit.
After her studies, Trish found herself teaching maths at Caulfield Grammar. She enjoyed aspects of teaching, but quickly realised her heart wasn’t truly in it. Becoming a fully qualified teacher would have meant returning to university, and she instinctively knew another adventure was waiting for her instead.
So in 1970, at just 21 years old, Trish packed her bags and headed overseas for what would become a life-changing two-and-a-half-year journey.
Based in London, she travelled extensively throughout England and across Europe, embracing the freedom and excitement that came with being young and discovering the world. To fund her travels, she took on temporary jobs, including working as a telephonist in London and even behind the bar of the pub where she lived upstairs.
“We’d work for a while, save our money, then head back over to the continent and travel again. Life was fun when you were 21 — we just had an absolute ball.”
The overseas adventure also brought another unexpected gift. Travelling aboard the Fair Star through the Panama Canal, Trish met Dave before the ship had even passed through Sydney Heads. The friendship quickly blossomed into something more, and after spending the next seven and a half years together overseas and back home, they married and built a life together, raising two beautiful children.
When she eventually returned to Australia, Trish still wasn’t entirely sure what career path to follow. Her stepfather — one of the original owners connected with the Maguire’s General Store site, now known as the Old Bank House — suggested she try the travel industry.
“I said I’d like to be a travel agent. He said he’d get back to me. The next thing I knew, he told me I started the next day.”
That spontaneous opportunity became the beginning of a remarkable career.
After working in the industry for several years, Trish eventually established Trish Stamp Travel — a business that, incredibly, is still operating 54 years later and remains a trusted and respected part of the Mount Eliza community.
Over the decades, the business brought countless memorable experiences, including international educational tours where travel agents were taken overseas to experience destinations firsthand.
One particularly unforgettable moment happened in Tel Aviv.
“We were sitting in a bar and I thought, ‘I know that guy over there.’ I started walking towards him and suddenly security stepped in everywhere. It was Moshe Dayan. I didn’t get to speak to him, but he waved.”
Beyond her professional success, Trish has also made an extraordinary contribution to the local community through her longstanding involvement with the Rotary Club of Mount Eliza and her commitment to supporting vulnerable families.
Each year, Trish coordinates the Christmas Hamper Program in partnership with the Mount Eliza Neighbourhood House, helping ensure local individuals and families experiencing hardship receive practical support and care during the festive season.
Today, more than half a century after opening her doors in Mount Eliza, Trish’s passion for both travel and people remains as strong as ever.
“I’ll keep doing it because I love it.”
And perhaps that simple statement explains the longevity of both the business and the woman behind it — a life shaped by intelligence, courage, resilience, generosity, connection and an enduring sense of adventure.