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.

Richard developed an interest in Africa from a young age, after seeing a home movie of his Godparents' safari in the early 1960s, and first travelled to Africa in 1983. With over 20 years' traveling experience in Africa, he has come to know it as a second home. He has acquired unsurpassed local knowledge of the land, its native tribes and wildlife. In 1996, after buying out his partners, Richard started the expansion of the company with the commencement of its first separate division - African Travel Specialists.

Richard has an uncompromising belief in offering the best in travel, and 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 Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mauritius and the Middle East. As well as this he has traveled to the UK, Europe, USA, Mexico, Asia Pacific and around Australia.

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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 32 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.

Over her 15 years of travelling in Africa, Sue has explored Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. She has also travelled throughout Europe, South America, Alaska, Canada, USA, Ireland, UK, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Asia, South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. Her highlights include a trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda, and a canoe trip on the Zambezi River.

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Debra Kruk: Sales Executive

Debra, our Sales Executive in Queensland, joined the industry many years ago with Jetset Travel after living in New Guinea and that started her desire to stay within the Travel Industry. After a start in retail travel, Debra realised that she would rather work in the wholesale area, which lead to various positions representing a number of wholesalers dealing in defferent parts of the world, including Africa.

This lead her to the doorstep of African Travel Specialists as the company "looked the perfect fit - a large, professional specsailist Africa operator with a fabulous reputation and with the most experienced staff". And since joining the Company, Debra has not been disappointed. As she has said "I dont ever want another position than what I am doing now".

It is this passion and fascination with Africa, since her first visit 10 years ago, that makes Debra so excited. Whilst she has travelled to other parts of the World, Debra has travelled to South Africa many times as well as Zimbabwe (her favourite), Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Egypt. She is very excited because this year she will be escorting several groups to Africa including one to East Africa for the reverse migration (August 2010).

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Gemma Steel: Team Leader

Born in the UK Gemma’s first overseas trips began with Europe and progressed to more exotic locations which fuelled her passion for travel and prompted her to read world religions and Indian languages at University in London before moving to China for 3 years where she taught English and studied Mandarin.
Returning to the UK Gemma pursued her love of travel by working in a retail travel agency in London specialising in adventure travel.

Her first trip to Africa was to Kenya with her family when she was 16, she has since traveled to Botswana, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Some of her highlights have been escorting a group tour to see the migration in Kenya and Tanzania, canoeing the Zambezi, bargaining in the souks of Marrakech and cheering on Spain in the 2010 World Cup Final in Johannesburg.
 
Gemma has also travelled extensively in Asia, South America, Europe, and the US!

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Ashleigh Harris: Consultant

Ashleigh grew up in Empangeni, South Africa (an hour north of Durban), and has relocated to Melbourne with her husband. Ashleigh moved to Cape Town for three years where she studied Travel and Tourism, obtaining her diploma and advanced diploma. She worked as a consultant at American Express, where she specialised in Corporate Travel. Ashleigh also spent a year in America, working, traveling and experiencing the "American Way". Upon her return to Africa she joined Harvey World Travel. Now settled in Australia, Ashleigh is sharing her Africa travel experiences and expertise with clients and travelers planning their own adventures. In addition to America, Ashleigh has also travelled to Zimbabwe, Nambia, Western Australia and within South Africa.

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Amanda Pasley: Consultant

Amanda Pasley was born in Zimbabwe and also lived in South Africa and spent 3 years in the UK. She studied travel and tourism after completing school and has worked in the travel industry for the past 23 years in various areas – airlines, travel agencies and tour operators. She recently emigrated to Australia with her family.

In her 23 years of experience she have travelled extensively to places like South Africa, Mozambique, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Singapore, London, Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland. She has vast knowledge and expertise on these areas and loves passing on her advice and recommendations to clients. Travel is her passion and her love for Africa and the wildlife keeps her sending people back there.

Now settled in Australia, Amanda is sharing her Africa travel experiences and expertise with clients and travellers planning their own holidays to Africa.

Amanda is currently at home with beautiful new arrival, baby girl Hannah, and plans to return in the new year.

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Darren Backx : Consultant

Darren has journeyed extensively throughout the length & breadth of Egypt, East and Southern Africa, Australia, Asia, Canada, the Middle East, Europe & India & has been to some of the most remote places on earth over a 25 year period. He has built up a vast knowledge & has a great understanding & feel for designing the dream holiday for clients to Africa & beyond.

Darren is also a very keen wildlife, landscape & people photographer & enjoys travel writing & has had numerous photographs & travel articles published. His recent travels have taken him to explore the many remote tribes on the Africa Continent including the East Africa tribes of Turkana, Rendille, El Molo, Gabbra, Borana, Samburu, Masai & the Himba tribes of Namibia.

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Sharon Van Breda: Consultant

Born to a family who are passionate about travel and adventure, Sharon grew up in Southern Africa and has had countless experiences living, camping and travelling through the wilderness regions of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Sharon's first job was as a guest liaison officer with the exclusive Mala Mala game reserve in South Africa before completing her IATA travel certification and becoming a travel consultant. She has worked as a Travel Consultant for extensive intervals over the last 22 years between her many other interests which have included her children, a marketing degree and catering.

Sharon has travelled and backpacked through Europe and most of South East Asia.

Sharon is passionate about adventure travel, ethnic cultures and wildlife and holds a special place for the Okavango Delta where the rest of her family live.

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Angela Marron : Consultant

Angela has worked in the travel industry for 12 years. Her career began in a Jetset retail office where she worked for 5 years as a consultant. Angela then moved into the wholesale side of the industry, and worked for an Africa wholesaler, where she spent 2.5 years as a Reservations Consultant before being promoted to Team Leader.

Angela was encouraged to move into the Sales area, but only stayed in sales 12 months, as she preferred being in a more hands-on position. Angela moved into the Reservations area as Team Leader, where she continued to work for the next 2 years. In March 2001, Angela commenced working for Four Corners Travel Group where she was employed as Reservations Manager for Bali Bound Holidays. Over the years Angela has enjoyed her travels to various destinations in America, Bali, Fiji, London, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and different parts of Australia.

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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 African Travel Specialists 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 Africa 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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Rhona Silpert: Accountant

Rhona was born in South Africa and completed her Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor or Accounting at the University of the Witwatersrand prior to qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. Rhona , her husband and three children emigrated to Australia in 1990. The first 10 years in Australia were spent working as an external accountant but she finds the hands on role as the internal accountant far more enjoyable Outside of work Rhona enjoys baking cooking and of course travel and has travelled to South Africa, the UK the USA and Israel and is looking forward to many more travel adventures.
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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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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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Carrie Dubbeld: Promotions & 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 cycling the bike tracks of Victoria, diving, dinner parties and relaxing 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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