One of the biggest perks of a career in travel has always been the opportunity to experience new destinations and experiences around the world. In 2020, COVID-19 has delivered a particularly savage blow to personal travel managers (PTMs), whose livelihoods are intrinsically linked to a love of travel. However, necessity breeds invention, and so PTMs throughout Australia have been seeking out new destinations and experiences within their own regions to satisfy their wanderlust.
One such group of eight PTMs, all of whom are based in Sydney, the Central Coast and the Central West region of New South Wales, recently spent three days together soaking up the delights of rural New South Wales from their home base in the pretty town of Mudgee.
“It all started when Cathy Moir mentioned that she was keen to take a self famil/exploratory trip to country NSW with some fellow PTMs,” explains PTM Robbie Barrett. “I was familiar with a lovely five-bedroom house in Mudgee called Haylock House and suggested this as a suitable spot for us to gather for a few days.”
In true TravelManagers fashion, the participants say their weekend was a well-organised event which began with a degustation lunch arranged by Barrett in the private dining room of local dining icon, The Zin House Mudgee.
TravelManagers’ PTMs Michelle Thomas – Norah Head, Anita Medcalf – Trundle, Cathy Moir – Gymea Bay, Julianne Gazal-Rizk – Willoughby, Louise Gillogly – Parkes, Robbie Barrett – Dubbo, Caroline Burgmann – Bowen Mountain and Maria Miller – Parkes (l-r) displaying some of the purchases from their private tour of Mudgee’s wineries
“Robbie also arranged for everyone to be surprised with personalised ‘travel survival packs’,” reports Julianne Gazal-Rizk. “I was off to Paris for the day, while others in the group were destined for London and Hawaii, and all of us were equipped with COVID-era travel essentials such as hand sanitiser and a face mask.”
On day two of their getaway, it was the turn of PTM Anita Medcalf to arrange the group’s activity, and her choice was met with great enthusiasm from her colleagues.
Lovely spring weather and a beautiful rural setting provided a chance to bond and share ideas for these eight PTMs during their weekend in Mudgee
“Anita arranged a wonderful private tour of five different wineries with Mudgee Tourist Bus,” Gazal-Rizk reports. “I’m sure we significantly increased the cellar doors’ daily takings with our wine, oil and vinegar purchases!”
The group spent their evenings in Mudgee sitting by the fire in their rented house, swapping stories and enjoying shared dinners.
What use is a tasting platter without a few locally produced wines to accompany it? Blacklea Vinyard & Olive Grove in rural NSW was happy to oblige
Gazal-Rizk says the short break was useful not just to learn about this spectacular country NSW destination, but also as a much-needed time to catch up with fellow PTMs.
“It was great to have a reminder that we’re all going through the same difficulties. Having time away from our everyday lives to workshop our thoughts and ideas and support one another was just what we all needed.”
The town of Mudgee is said to have been named for two local Wiradjuri terms: Moothi meaning “Nest in the Hills” and mou-gee meaning contented. Having spent their time dining in style, shopping and visiting five of the local winery cellar doors, there are now eight PTMs who are happy to vouch for the suitability of this name.
Eight NSW-based PTMs spent the weekend indulging their love of travel, soaking up the scenery and local produce in Mudgee, NSW.
For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers please contact Suzanne Laister on 1800 019 599.
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