Meet the Team
NICHOLAS RONE A Gold Coast resident and Varsity Lakes 'local', Nicholas is a director and co-founder of Varsity Lakes Travel. A respected travel professional he has served in senior management roles within the Travel, Tourism and hospitality industries for over 20 years both here and throughout Europe. From 1991 - 2001 he spent 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 Nicholas joined My Travel Network (MTN) as Senior Sales and Marketing Executive and as their European operations consultant. Spearheading the company's roll out and sales push into Europe, Nicholas spent a further 5 months in Amsterdam - Netherlands setting up MTN's European sales operation returning to Australia in late 2002. In 2003 Nicholas co-founded NICAL Australia Pty Ltd, a successful Property Development Company and has since partnered with Mr Alan Harrison as a co-owner/operator/director of Varsity Lakes Travel. For family, personal and professional reasons, Nicholas has and continues to travel extensively throughout the world and maintains to this day a strong association with Travel Industry suppliers and operators both in Australia and abroad. His native tongue is English and he speaks basic German and Greek. Nic and his German wife Gisela have two young daughters; Holly and Isabelle. "We are a committed 'service', 'value' and 'knowledge' based travel agency that cares what happens to you and / or your business. Our entire staff have lived, breathed and worked in Travel throughout the world, assisting business clients and holiday makers to get the most out of travel. Specializing in travel to Europe, Greece, The Mediterranean, Turkey, and Great Britain & Ireland, we have a comprehensive network of locally based agencies representing us worldwide. So be it a holiday, tour, business trip, conference meeting or corporate incentive, we can tailor a programme to meet anyone's needs". |
ALAN HARRISON A Gold Coast and Varsity Lakes resident, Alan is a director and co-founder of Varsity Lakes Travel. He has been involved in the travel and tourism industry both in Australia and throughout Europe for over 19 years. Starting his European Career as a site representative for Contiki 18- 35's Holidays, Alan moved on to become a European Tour Coach driver and Tour Manager. In 1994 Alan became a Tour Director for Trafalgar Tours, managing and operating group tours throughout Europe and the Eastern Block. Returning to Australia in 2000, Alan joined My Travel Network (MTN) as their IT Manager, responsible for the management and implementation of the company's worldwide IT infrastructure and in-house IT operations & security. In 2000 Alan also founded HERMES International, a website and computer networking company here on the Gold Coast. Since leaving MTN he has partnered with Mr Nicholas Rone as co-owner/operator/director of Varsity Lakes Travel. Privately and professionally, Alan has and continues to travel extensively in almost every continent of the world and is a fluent Italian speaker. Friendly, enthusiastic and professional, he is always willing to impart his wealth of knowledge onto all his clients. "We stand by the fact that our agency offers 'First Class' service and products, 'First Hand' knowledge and skills, and 'FIRST RATE' value to all clients. Whether for business or pleasure our aim is to ensure you get what you need by listening to what you want" |
MICHAEL TASIC Michael (or Mick as likes to be known) is our most recent recruit and has been brought on board for his tenacity, drive, customer service background, passion for travel and like everyone else in the office for his experience. A customer service professional for over 20 years, Mick is husband to Susan and father to two young boys - Ben and Adam. He has had over 5 years in retail travel as both an international leisure consultant and manager. He has traveled extensively throughout the world including the UK and Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, China, the Czech Republic, the Greek Islands, Bali, Fiji, New Zealand and he has also experienced much of Australia's east coast including Far North Queensland, the Whitsundays and Tasmania. He is now officially our resident expert on all things 'Bali' as well as Skiing NZ. Mick's attributes are a perfect fit with the dynamic VLT team. His skills, business acumen and dedication to PERSONALISED customer service also compliment the existing expertise within the office, and we welcome him on board. "Next to my family, travel is my love and passion, and it is all about dreams. I like to dream about travelling to places I've never seen and am thrilled to help fulfill the dreams of my clients by planning, creating and pulling off that perfect trip. I'm ecstatic at being accepted to come on board as part of the VLT team, and am looking forward to creating trips that will be filled with wonderful memories which will last a lifetime. As Nic says, I want to win clients for life, not one trip. " |
KEN OBERHARDT Varsity Lakes Travel is proud to welcome Mr Ken Oberhardt to the team. A well known and recognised face throughout Burleigh, Robina and Varsity, Ken was the owner operator of TravelValu of Burleigh Heads for 24 years, and is a travel veteran with over 31 years experience in the industry. He is also a charter member and Ex President of the Rotary Club of Robina & Varsity Lakes and coordinator of the annual Robina Rotary Charity Art show. 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 one of our own. |
GISELA RONE (neé Kaiser) Gisela has worked in the Travel and Tourism industry for over 15 years. German born and raised, Gisela started her career in banking, then completed her management / language studies as a European Secretary before embarking on a career in Tour Management, operating tours throughout Europe and the Eastern block for Contiki 18-35's Holidays and Trafalgar Tours. Upon moving to Australia in 2001 she joined My Travel Network (MTN) as secretary and administrative assistant. In addition to English, Gisela speaks several languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish and a little Russian. Nomadic by nature Gisela has been a global traveler all her life. As well as possessing an intrinsic knowledge of Europe, she has traveled extensively through countries such as North and South America, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, China, Tenerife, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and more. "Travel is my life and my passion and I bring a little back with me every trip I make. It is a rewarding experience to help others share in the excitement of seeing new and far away places. I live the dream with them as we talk of their trips and I receive great pleasure from helping them get the holiday they want by listening and getting to know them." |
LAURA KENNEDY Laura is a 10 year veteran of Travel and Tourism having worked both in Australia and New Zealand as a senior travel consultant. Laura heads up VLT's 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 and we welcome her to the team. "Numbers may be my business but I am lucky that I can parallel this with my love of all things 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 travelled the world, and I still enjoy being a part of an organisation where people share my passion for travel" |