The Team
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NICHOLAS RONE Nic is the Owner and Managing Director of 'Varsity Lakes Travel' (VLTravel) and the specialist Family Travel Company 'Kids on Board' (KOB). A Gold Coast resident and respected travel professional, Nic has served in senior management roles within the Travel, Tourism and hospitality industries both in Australia and throughout Europe for over 23 years.
Nic's current appointments include;
From 1991 - 2001 Nic spent over 10 years as senior operations manager for one of Greece's largest Travel / Inbound Tour operators, responsible as sole agency for Insight Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, Contiki 18-35's holidays, Creative Holidays as well as ETON, Westminster schools and more. Upon return to Australia in 2001 Nic joined My Travel Network (MTN) as Senior Sales and Marketing Executive and as their European operations liaise. Spearheading the company's roll out and sales drive into Europe, Nicholas spent a further 5 months living and working in Amsterdam / Netherlands setting up MTN's European sales operation eventually returning to Australia in late 2002. Since 2005 Nic has operated the successful company VLTravel and more recently created and launched the specialised family travel company 'Kids on Board'. In addition to VLT and KOB, Nic is extremely active within the greater business community of the Gold Coast holding numerous positions on association boards and committees, Nic is also supportive of charities such as the Hear and Say Centre - hosting annual events and balls to help raise awareness and much needed funds. For both personal and professional reasons, Nicholas continues to travel extensively throughout the world and maintains to this day a strong association with Travel Industry suppliers and operators worldwide. His native tongue is English and he speaks basic German and Greek. Nic and his German wife Gisela have two young daughters; Holly Angelina and Isabelle Athena. "It is my firm belief that the true value and worth of our organisation is our staff who posses the experience, knowledge and dedication necessary to afford our clients the very best service and product - they are people you can trust. Our team have lived, breathed and worked in Travel throughout the world, assisting clients and holiday makers to get the most out of their time traveling collectively for over 200 years. As the owner and Director it is my mission to harness and grow the experience and knowledge of my team, to allow them to build long term trusted relationships with our customers and their families."
For more information on Nic's current community position held - click here |
RACHEL POWELL Rachel Powell is VLTravel's is VLTravel’s General Manager brings with her 12 years consulting and management experience in the travel industry. Her friendly personality, knowledge of geography and industry skill set are well known on the Gold Coast and have built her a loyal following throughout her career. Having been recommended to us originally by other industry professionals, it goes without saying that Rachel comes to us well credentialed and is a most welcome addition to our growing team. An avid adventurer and all round lover of traveling herself, Rachel has amongst other things lived in Sri Lanka, backpacked through the UK, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy & Greece and its exotic islands. She has traveled through Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, and only recently returned from a month's educational to Cambodia, Malaysia & Vietnam, giving her a great deal of up to date knowledge about Asia. In addition to all this, her love for resort style holidays has also led her places like the Maldives, Fiji, Vanuatu, Noumea & Bali on numerous occasions, so for all you resort loving sun seekers out there - Rachel is your girl. Rachel has also been responsible for looking after groups with the Australian institute of sport. "I have only one aim - and that is to strive to give my clients the very best service I can, in order that they enjoy the holiday experience of a lifetime - full stop" |
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ALAN HARRISON Alan Harrison's involvement in the travel industry both in Australia and Europe stems back over 20 years.Starting as European site representative for Contiki 18- 35's Holidays, Alan moved on to become a European Contiki Tour Coach driver and Tour Manager. In 1994 Alan then became a Tour Director for Trafalgar Tours, managing and operating group tours throughout Europe and the Eastern Block. Alan moved to Australia in 2000 with My Travel Network (MTN) as their IT Manager and Travel industry consultant. He was responsible for the management and implementation of the company's worldwide IT infrastructure and in-house IT operations & security; He also acted as Coach Tour and supplier advisor. Alan, an original founder of the agency with Nic Rone has been with VLTravel since opening. He holds the position of Senior Cruise Consultant, heading up the company's growing Cruise Division. His love of cruising throughout the years has seen him develop a keen interest in all aspects of cruising. "My years in the travel industry have afforded me the opportunity to see the world, and whilst reticent at first about cruising in general, I must say that I am now one of the converted. Whilst I enjoy throwing on a backpack at times, I still prefer the little luxuries I get when I cruise, and only having to unpack my suitcase once is simply wonderful - leaving me time to enjoy the shows, destinations, 24 hr dining and being waited up morning noon and night - just my cup of tea " |
KEN OBERHARDT Ken Oberhardt is VLTravel's 38 year veteran. A well known, recognised and respected face throughout Burleigh, Robina and Varsity for many years, Ken was previously the owner operator of TravelValu in Burleigh Heads for nearly 24 years. He is also a charter member and Ex President of the Rotary Club of Robina & Varsity Lakes and the previous coordinator of the annual Robina Rotary Charity Art show. As Ken’s title suggests, he is a Holiday design specialist – not just a consultant. It is one thing to consult, it is another to have the skills, knowledge and experience to piece together highly detailed holiday itineraries which incorporate literally hundreds of components – and as his clients attest – Ken is the VERY best at what he does! Personally written itineraries, pre filled out boarding cards, pre confirmed seating and personalised holiday planning appointments with his clients, Ken does it all and epitomizes what it means to be a professional and a specialist. This is why his services are by appointment only, and why has held many of his clients throughout his entire 38 years in the business. Ken's selfless commitment to community as well as his incredible wealth of experience, knowledge and dedication to service excellence means he is a man in demand, and we are lucky to have him as part of the VLTravel team. "Next to my wife and family, Travel is my life, my love and my passion. Nothing beats creating someone's dream, putting it all in place, sending them on their way and then sitting with them when they return to hear how it all played out. The smiles on their faces and the stories they regale make every day a new and special occasion for me and I never tire hearing them. My pleasure is derived of other's happiness and having been a part of helping them fulfil their dreams which is why I take the time necessary to get it right. My clients put their trust in me - and I take that very seriously." |
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LORRAINE McLOUGHLIN The lovely and vibrant Lorraine is a travel veteran with over 48 years in the Travel industry and moved to the Gold Coast from Hobart in 1980. Her most memorable destinations are Egypt Kenya, Phuket and Thailand but her favourite annual destination is the USA (particularly Las Vegas). Tenpin bowling has been Lorraine's love outside the office and she considers herself to be one of the luckiest bowlers in Australia having had the opportunity to be Team manager for Australian Teams travelling worldwide since 1984, with the highlight being Manager of the Commonweath Games team in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. Her years of industry experience, vivacious personality, consummate professionalism, and incredible wealth of travel knowledge have earned her a large and long term client following, and make her a holiday planners dream. Basically what she doesn't know aint worth knowing. If you want the very best - Lorraine's your gal - and always available to listen and help, so call her today. |
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JACQUI EGERTON Kids on Board Email: jacqui@kidsonboard.com.au Bubbly, friendly and vivacious, Jacqui is the newest member of our ever expanding team. Jacqui’s career in travel began nearly 14 years ago back in 1987, and since then she has held jobs in all facets of the travel industry from consultant to senior management roles. She has also travelled extensively throughout the world and spent over 3 years in Europe and the UK where amongst other things she experienced being a ‘Turkish Carpet Salesperson’.
A hard working, multi tasking mother of two beautiful young boys and dedicated wife, Jacqui joins us not only as a VLTravel consultant, but also as Senior consultant for our ‘Kids on Board’ Family Holiday brand which specialises in travel for families, and as a mobile consultant who can personally come out to visit YOU.
So if you wish to have a personal consultation at your home, or if you wish to speak to someone well versed and experienced in all things ‘Family Travel’, then Jacqui is your girl. |
LAURA KENNEDY Laura is a 12 year veteran of the Travel and Tourism industry and has worked both in Australia and New Zealand as a senior travel consultant. Laura assists in our leisure department though she is experienced and conversant in both Leisure and Corporate travel. Her in depth knowledge of the Asia Pacific region compliments the staff's already extensive travel background, as does her eye for a bargain hot spot which is always a winner with our clients. With an impeccable service record and consummately professional manner, Laura's attention to the detail and keen sense of what "service" means is a testament to her success. "I love people, I love travel, I love talking to people about travel. Few jobs offer the chance to indulge your passions whilst helping others quite like travel consultancy. I enjoy what I do so I do it well, which I believe means I get the best results for my clients." |
MO MOORHEAD Mo has been involved with bookkeeping and financial management within the Travel and Tourism industry for over 20 years, both in Queensland and Victoria. Originally born in the UK, she is an avid and prolific traveler in her own right which compliments the staff's already extensive travel expertise. Mo holds the title of 'Financial Controller' and heads up VLT's accounts department being conversant in all areas of travel accounting including in an depth knowledge of accounting software packages and procedures. With an impeccable service record and attentive disposition, Mo is well known throughout the Gold Coast community for her consummately professional and caring manner – she is truly the office den mother. "Numbers may be my business but I am lucky that I can parallel this with my love of travel. Many years ago I worked for the first company in Australia to send tours to China and they put me on an 'incentive trip' which got me hooked for life. Now I've been in the industry for over 20 years, have traveled the world, and I still enjoy being a part of an organisation where people share my passion for travel" |
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