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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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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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Robert Nangle : Corporate Team Leader
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Jo-Ellen White: Senior Consultant
Jo-Ellen's first job was at Australian Airlines (TAA) working in reservations, then Melbourne Airport at check-in, ticketing and all other areas of ground handling. After leaving the airline Jo-Ellen joined Jetset Fares and Ticketing, where she developed her skills for constructing airfares and thinking outside the square.
After a few more career moves, Jo-Ellen joined Four Corners Travel where she has worked for the last 9 years. She enjoys the work here as there is always an interesting itinerary to sink her teeth into! Over the years Jo-Ellen has built strong relationships with her clients who now trust her judgment when it comes to their travel requirements.
Her family is very important to her, and fortunately both her husband and son share her love of travel - as a family they have visited the USA, Europe, Thailand and all over Australia. Jo-Ellen's own travel has taken her to Russia, South America, Caribbean, Asia, Israel and Turkey.
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Theonie Stavropoulos: Senior Consultant
Theonie joined the Industry after completing her Associate Diploma of Travel at William Angliss in 1984, starting off as a corporate travel consultant with Jetset Travel. After working for various Companies both in corporate and leisure travel, and dealing with some of the large corporate accounts like Telstra, Theonie realised that her passion was corporate travel. She enjoys nothing more than using her skills in fare construction and airline knowledge to put together some large complicated itineraries that most consultants find too challenging.
Theonie has a passion for travel and travelling. To quote: "I love to travel; I love to fly and I am more comfortable in an aircraft than a car". Over the years, she has travelled extensively throughout the USA, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Whilst she would prefer to travel further a field, these days she is more restricted due to the advent of her children, and tends to focus on destinations closer to Australia. "I love Singapore and some of the Asian holiday resorts as I can travel with my partner and my children as it represents exceptional value for money and is an ideal area for families".
Theonie joined the Company this year as a Senior Consultant and one of our Corporate Specialists.
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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 joined the company this year 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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Paul Stanley : Promotions and Design Co-Ordinator
Paul is a highly skilled and diverse graphic designer with experience in print, web, fashion, and software. After graduating with a B.A. in Multimedia from Monash University, Paul worked for a variety of companies before settling in as resident designer at Four Corners Travel Group. Paul has travelled extensively, and his role with the Company combines his love of traveling with his skills as a designer. Paul has a great sense of humour that often translates into some of his design work and multi-media presentations. His favourite movie is Passenger 57 starring Wesley Snipes and he is a keen supporter of the Harlem Globe Trotters.
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