WHO WE ARE

With more than 20 years in the travel industry, Melinda has worked in almost every area imaginable – from tour operator in the Middle East to operations manager of a global leader in luxury travel. And now as Managing Director of her own business in Noosa, Melinda brings all her experience to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Melinda started her journey with Qantas Holidays where she travelled the world extensively as an eagle-eyed 20-something. Melinda then relocated to Egypt to escort tour groups for three years through the most exotic parts of the Middle East.

On returning to Australia, she became Operations Manager with the world’s leader in luxury, bespoke travel, Abercrombie & Kent. During her five years at A & K, Melinda huddled with gorillas in Uganda, discovered the palaces of India, trekked to Machu Picchu, cruised to Antarctica and explored the luxury lodges and game parks of Africa.

Melinda then returned to the operational side of the business and completed two seasons at the exclusive El Questro in the Kimberley before deciding to settle down at Sunshine Beach. She quickly became manager of World Travel Professionals Noosa, a business with a large clientele of discerning and demanding travellers across the Sunshine Coast.

In March 2008, Melinda, with brother, Stuart, bought the WTP business and re-launched it as Gregor & Lewis on July 1. Just days after, Melinda was selected as one of Australia’s Top Five Travel Consultants and Queensland’s Best Travel Consultant at the 2008 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards for Excellence.

Stuart is the director of Sydney-based Liquid Ideas, a prestige public relations, events and marketing business specialising in wine, food, hospitality, travel and sport. As Stuart says – if it’s something he loves then Liquid Ideas will do it. So clients include Jacob’s Creek and Wirra Wirra, Champagne houses G H Mumm and Perrier-Jouët, legendary labels like Chivas Regal and iconic venues in Sydney like ANZ Stadium and the Argyle. Stuart also judges the odd wine show, has his own wine label Donny GoodMac and passionately follows the Wallabies, Sydney Swans, Manchester United and any golf tournament played anywhere in the world. So if you ever need advice about eating, drinking, watching or playing – Stuart is your guy.

Sally, Stuart’s wife, has a background in food, wine and travel journalism. She has been the Managing Editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller, has worked at Vogue Entertaining & Travel and was the editor of The Age Good Food Guide for three years. She now works with Stuart at Liquid Ideas, contributes to the Foodie’s Guide to Sydney, the SMH Good Food Guide and has also recently been published in Travel + Leisure magazine. In her ‘spare time’, Sally helps run the Liquid Ideas business and looks after their children and keen travellers, Audrey and George. Sally has travelled to more than 20 countries and can point you to the ‘cool’ or ‘classic’ restaurants the guide books don’t know about, and the places that have the high chairs and those that don’t.

Passionate about travel and with over 20 years consulting and management experience, Marion previously owned and ran two very individual travel agencies in Sydney, well-known for their highly creative and specialised leisure and business travel. Marion’s tailor-made itineraries included gastronomic tours of Italy, walking and hiking in New Zealand and Switzerland, and archaeological excursions to Egypt. Marion recently moved to the Sunshine Coast and joined Gregor & Lewis as Senior Consultant where she is putting her vast knowledge and portfolio of global contacts to good use.

Wendy began her career in the travel industry in the UK in the 80s and since then has worked as a consultant, office manager and travel and tourism teacher. She loves planes – not just travelling on them – but all aspects of aviation – so Wendy’s our girl when it comes to finding the best solutions for clients, regardless of how complex or straight forward the journey. Favourite destination? Asia. Wendy has recently completed a 9 month sabbatical travelling around Australia, the Kimberley and Broome regions were some of her highlights.

Having travelled throughout Europe, Asia and the South Pacific, Kristen has caught the travel bug and is keenly passing it onto all those around her. A thorough and passionate researcher, Kristen also has an implicit eye for detail. So, if you have a mission impossible or a dream holiday that requires a hands-on investigator with pin-point accuracy, Kristen is your girl.

Joanne’s enthusiasm for the travel industry has lasted well over 20 years. Having visited more destinations than seem possible and having worked in both consultancy and operational roles at both large and small agencies, Joanne’s role at Gregor & Lewis focuses on the day-to-day running of the business.