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Our Staff
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Richard Ruskin: Managing Director
Richard joined the travel industry in 1973, working for Ansett Airlines, whilst also completing his BST (Business Studies Tourism) Certificate (Now Associate Diploma). After working in domestic and then international sales, he was seconded to British Airways. He joined Four Corners Travel Service in 1977 as an International Consultant, taking over as Manager in 1983.
In 1996, he bought out his partners and has expanded the company into a group of 6 specialist divisions. The result is a dynamic, exciting team of people specialising in all areas of the world.
Richard has a reputation for boundless enthusiasm and interest in all coutries of the world. In fact, one of his clients has just completed a lifelong ambition to visit every country (193) in the world, so Richard is one of only a handful of Travel Professionals who has arranged travel to every county in the world.
Richard has an uncompromising belief in offering the best in travel, and has built up a team of staff that he regards as the best in the Industry. He is passionate about travel, even after 30 years in the Industry, in particular for Africa. He has travelled extensively throughout Africa, and to the Middle East, UK, Europe, USA, Mexico, Asia, Pacific and around Australia.
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Paul Martin : Director of Sales & Mirjana Martin : Director of Operations
in the 80's and 90's Mary and Paul were the General Manager and National Sales Manager of 'consolidator' Metro Travel and are well known to many people in the travel industry in Australia.
In 1999 they resigned from the Concorde/Metro group and set off for what was supposed to be an extended one year holiday to Croatia.
They liked Croatia so much they ended up staying for 10 years and in 2005 opened a small inbound wholesale company dealing directly with Australian and English travel agents via the web. Croatia was crying out for an individual IT specialist, showing clients the quality side of Croatia along with the best accommodation, private tours and sightseeing.
A full range of services is offered including exclusive yacht hire, self drive, coach charters, gulets, incentives and conferences to name but a few.
Family ties beckoned in Melbourne so the travel programme, along with Paul and Mary has now returned to Melbourne and Croatia Travel Specialists was formed.
Using all the specialist contacts built up over the last 5 years they are very proud to launch their Croatia product here in Australia in conjunction with the 4 Corners Group of companies.
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Savio Pereira : General Manager
Savio was born and bred in Kenya, and even though Kenya will always be home, he is now settled in Australia. Savio has always had a passion for travel, moving to England to graduate with a BSC Economics from the University of London. For 12 years Savio worked for a ground operator in East Africa as an Administrative Manager, covering all aspects of the business including operations, sales and finance. He has attended numerous international travel exhibitions in the UK, Sweden and Dubai, and has also travelled extensively in France and Italy. He has travelled extensively in Africa to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Victoria Falls and Zanzibar.
He has also escorted safaris to Africa.
Savio likes to indulge his love of the outdoors by going on safari and driving his 4x4 in the bush. He also enjoys all sports, and plays tennis regularly. Savio is happily married with two children, who share his love of safaris.
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Sue Harms: Sales Manager
Sue Harms is our Sales Manager, with over 26 years experience in the Travel Industry. Sue first entered the industry as a domestic consultant with Burns Philip Travel in Melbourne, then, as one of her interests was snow skiing, she moved to ANZ Travel consulting in the International retail division for 3 years. She then moved to Allaround Travel as a Senior consultant, consulting during the week and escorting groups to the Australian ski fields on weekends, as well as teaching skiing. Sue then went into Commercial Travel with Elders IXL as a Senior Consultant, before accepting a position with Adventure World, as Sales Manager. Throughout Sue's 11 years with this company, she developed a further passion for exotic destinations, one of them being Africa.
She has travelled throughout Africa, Europe, South America, Alaska, Canada, USA, Ireland, UK, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Asia, South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia.
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Simone Harris: Systems Project Manager
Simone was born in Cape Town, South Africa and immigrated to Australia with her husband in 1999. She is married with 2 daughters and is based in Melbourne. Simone holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Languages and is also a qualified Journalist. In 1995, Simone studied Travel and Tourism and qualified top of her class. She has worked in the travel industry (in South Africa & Australia) since January 1996 during which time she has worked for an international airline and a number of retail & wholesale travel companies in various positions from Consultant to Reservations Supervisor and Product Manager. She began work for the Four Corners Travel Group in 2010 and is enjoying her challenging position where her role centres around maintaining the wholesale product within the new office wholesale reservations system. Like the other staff, Simone has a passion for travel and has travelled to France, Switzerland, England, Israel, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, extensively around South Africa and the Pacific Islands of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Cook Islands to name a few. Her hobbies include photography, reading, crossword puzzles (and winning prizes!) and of course, travel.
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Kerrie Matthee: Financial Controller
Kerrie has years of experience working in small business with the last 10 years in the travel industry. The first contact Kerrie had with Four Corners Travel was as the external auditor for the company, later joining as a member of the team. This brings a strong level of financial accountability to the company, and ensures that accreditation with all statutory bodies is maintained. As Financial Controller, Kerrie?s role ensures that the company maintains client financial records as well as ensuring all suppliers are paid.
Having been born and brought up in South Africa, Kerrie has an extensive knowledge of travel in South Africa, with a particular love of wildlife and game parks. She has a passion for all things African and her knowledge and continued interest in South Africa is kept alive through various family members still living there. In addition, Kerrie has travelled to Fiji, USA, Singapore, Europe and the UK.
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Margaret Fernandez: Accountant
Margaret was born in India and from an early age had a passion for figures. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Travel and Tourism, she decided to pursue a career in the Travel Industry, rather than becoming a CPA. Margaret worked for 10 years in India where she met her husband, Owen, and in 1986 they both migrated to Australia. Margaret has been with our company for 5 years as accountant, bringing with her a wealth of airline and travel agency experience.
Margaret is passionate about travel and has travelled to West Coast USA, Europe, South East Asia and of course India. Her dream is to travel to Africa and the East Coast of America.
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Sue Ruskin: International Payments
Sue has had a wealth of experience, particularly in the medical field. Sue is a qualified Orthoptist, and after a successful career in that field spanning 20 years, she decided to change her career and pursue her love of travel. Sue has travelled extensively through Europe and Asia, and more recently to USA and Africa. She is responsible for all the overseas payments to our Operators worldwide.
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Carrie Dubbeld : Promotions and Design Co-ordinator
Carrie's opportunity to join the Four Corners Travel team has allowed her to combine two great loves - Design and Travel! After uni she and a friend started a design company which they continue to run, and she loves the challenges and learning that the design industry brings. Carrie has a keen interest in photography which hand-in-hand with design will bring a world of colour and diversity to her work. Outside work, Carrie loves her dog, Chevi, cycling the bike tracks of Victoria, and relaxing on her patio to share a good bottle of wine with great friends.
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Matthew Commons : Web Designer / Developer
Once Matthew finished uni he begun work as a Web Designer / Developer for a Melbourne based Web Studio as well as running his own freelance business. After a successful year of designing and developing he joined the Four Corners Travel team. Besides design Matthew loves live music, the beach and exploring new places.
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CALL NOW ON (613) 9576 2834
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