Steve Lowe, Travel Centre Manager (NSW/QLD)
Travelling has always been a passion and fortunately I have had many adventures
across 30 countries and every state of Australia. After working across a few different
fields that included managing a cinema, managing a bar and selling pork pies in
London, I decided that working in the travel industry was where I was meant to be.
I started as the office junior for a travel agency in Sydney in February 1999 and
by August I was managing their 3 offices and I had completed my Advanced Diploma
in Tourism Operations Management. I am enjoying working with the team at Australian
Holiday Centre and creating some fabulous memories for our valuable customers.
Wendy Brassil, Assistant Manager (On Maternity Leave until April 2013)
My sister and I were always brought up to travel around Australia and the world
from a young age, thanks to my wonderful parents. During my HSC year, I had the
opportunity to complete a Travel and Tourism course through Tafe. I had a real passion
for travel and loved the course and decided that travel was the career path for
me. I then attended AFTA travel college to further my studies. After studying, I
undertook work experience at Traveland Flemington Markets and was fortunate to be
offered a job and my career began. I stayed there for two years before moving on
to Australian Tourism and Promotions, now known as Australian Holiday Centre. I
love working at the Australian Holiday Centre and enjoy working with wonderful colleages
and with a company that look after their staff. This fantastic environment has led
me to explore so much of our wonderful country. It is difficult to choose a favourite
however a trip to Cape York, a Kimberley Cruise, touring on Kangaroo Island and
travelling between Perth and Broome all rate VERY highly. I got married in 2008
and gave birth to my son in 2009. Nominee: Best Travel Consultant - Domestic at
the 2011 Australian Travel Awards Finalist: Best Travel Consultant - Rail at the
2011 Australian Travel Awards AAT Kings Top 40 Achiever - 2008, 2007, 2006
Ashlee Simpson, Travel Specialist
I studied at the Australian Business Academy were I was awarded Travel & Tourism
Student of the Year in 2005 and I was offered my job at the Australian Holiday Centre
on my third day of work experience. I worked on developing my knowledge of Domestic
Travel & selling Australia for 18 months. I moved to another agency selling
Corporate & International Travel for 2 years before being encouraged to return
to the Australian Holiday Centre. I made the decision to come back and I’ve
now been back selling Australia and loving it! I live on the Central Coast &
travel 4 hours a day to and from work, but do it because domestic travel is my passion,
and I love selling the country to fellow Australian & International visitors.
Winner: Jetset Travelworld NSW Affiliate Award for Outstanding Contribution
2011 Finalist: Best Travel Consultant - Domestic at the 2011 Australian Travel
Awards Highly Commended: Best Travel Consultant - Rail at the 2011 Australian
Travel Awards Highly Commended: Best Travel Consultant - Domestic at the 2010 Australian
Travel Awards Highly Commended Best Travel Consultant - Domestic at the 2009 Australian
Travel Awards AAT Kings Top 40 Achiever - 2010, 2009
Marti Borus, Travel Specialist
Lauren Mansell, Travel Centre Manager (VIC/TAS)
From a young age, I had the passion to work within the Travel Industry and was fortunate
to be offered a position with the Australian Holiday Centre/South Australian Travel
Centre in Sydney 13 years ago. I then branched out to work for an Australian based
Hotel Group in various positions, the conference and events industry and a regional
tourism organisation. Following a short break to welcome my first child, I returned
working for the Australian Holiday Centre in Sydney and most recently stepped into
the role of Travel Centre Manager in Melbourne. I am proud to work for an Australian
owned company which strives on offering clients with unique travel experiences with
ever lasting memories. I have travelled extensively overseas and throughout Australia
so it is hard to pinpoint my favourite holiday experience but some include Monkey
Mia, cruising on the QE2 from Sydney to Melbourne, the spectacular wine regions
of South Australia and the natural wonders of Kangaroo Island.
Lois Crook, Retail Business Manager
After completing a TAFE course in Travel and Tourism in 1991, I joined a travel
agency in Auckland City as a domestic travel consultant and havent looked back.
I love travelling and in particular I developed a passion for travel to our closest
neighbour, Australia. In 1997 I became the Travel Centre Manager of the South Australian
Travel Centre in Auckland and two years later moved to South Australia to manage
all the South Australian Travel Centres in Australia and New Zealand. In 2000 I
moved to Sydney to continue selling Australia and a husband, 2 kids and 10 years
later I am still as passionate about this beautiful country as ever. My favourite
Australian travel experience was cruising up the Murray River on a houseboat with
a group of 10 friends. Highly Commended: Travel Agency Manager of the Year at
the 2011 Australian Travel Awards Finalist: Travel Agency Manager
of hte Year at the 2009 Australian Travel Awards
Sonya Mewett, Travel Centre Manager (SA/WA)
I studied Travel & Tourism at AFTA Travel College and on completion I won a
shcolarship with the South Australian Travel Centre in Auckland and moved to
New Zealand for 1 year. The company I worked for had offices throughout Australia
and at the end of my tenure, they offered me a position in Brisbane running The
South Australian Travel Centre there, which I did for 7 years. I then
left the travel industry for a short time, until I realised creating peoples dreams
was really what i was made to do. So in 2005, I moved back to my home town
of Adelaide and joined City Centre Travel. AAT Kings Top 40 Achiever - 2008
Olivia Wagner, Travel Specialist (On Maternity Leave until November 2012)
In 2008, I moved from Tasmania to South Australia where I studied Tourism Retail
Sales at TAFESA, completing the course in June 2009. In August 2009, I joined the
team at City Centre Travel as a Travel Specialist. I have travelled Overseas
(America, Europe and South-east Asia) and extensively within Australia and I look
forward to discovering more of the beauty of the world around us. I have a passion
for travel and serving others. I got married in November 2010, to the man of my
dreams and I am looking forward to what the future holds, both personally and professionally.
Winner: Jetset Travelworld SA Affiliate Award for Outstanding Contribution 2011
Finalist: Rookie of the Year in the AFTA National Travel Industry Awards
in 2010 Nominee: Rising Star Consultant Awards in the Jetset Travelworld Group Awards
in 2010 AAT Kings Top 40 Achiever - 2010
Cathy Wang, Travel Specialist
I migrated to Australia with my husband and son in 2004 as a skilled migrant, having
been in the education system in China for over 9 years. I wanted to experience a
new career in Australia and chose the travel industry. My new career started with
doing work experience at the Sealink Travel Group and was lucky when an opportunity
arose at City Centre Travel (now Australian Holiday Centre). I had my second son
in 2008. My passion for travel has led me to achieve career goals and personal fulfillment.
I enjoy meeting new people from different backgrounds with different interests.
Helping my customers achieve a positive holiday experience makes me feel proud.
Some of my customers are now friends and have booked numerous holidays with me.
Nominee: Jetset Travelworld Top Achiever 2006 Nominee: Jetset Travelworld Top Achiever
2007
Jacky Sands, Travel Specialist
After completing a degree as a Bachelor of Biological Science, I discovered
this was not my area of love. I started my career in the Travel industry in 2005,
with Great Southern Rail, where I worked in various areas of the business including
call centre, wholesale sales and retail sales and my passion for Travel and
Tourism grew. After 5 years, I was given the opportunity to broaden my skills and
work face to face with clients and joined the team at City Centre Travel in May
2010. I have travelled extensively overseas throughout Europe and Asia, however
I have a real interest in our own “backyard’. Australia has beautiful
destinations and makes me proud to be able to ‘brag’ about our amazing
country we live in and it gives me great joy to assist my clients to discover
Australia’s real beauty.
Shirley Tamm, Groups Sales Manager / Tour Host
Shirley Tamm is a well known travel identity and tour host who has been working
in the travel industry for over 30 years. Most recently Shirley has worked for Great
Southern Rail (The Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Overland) promoting the romance
and enjoyment of rail travel Prior to this, she was State Manager for 14 years,
with well known international coach company, Trafalgar Tours. Shirley easily develops
relationships with people of all ages and has enjoyed escorting numerous groups
of travelers both within Australia and overseas. With her passion for travel and
wealth of knowledge you can be assured of a worry free and truly memorable holiday
experience.