For the sixth consecutive year, representatives from Australia’s travel industry recently spent a day enjoying a round of golf at Victoria’s scenic Mornington Golf Club while raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research.
The golf day was once again organised by TravelManagers’ Business Partnership Manager (BPM) for Victoria and Tasmania, Kellie Browning. Supported by her husband, Stuart, and a team of enthusiastic volunteers, Browning has spent countless hours on the logistics for the big day, sourcing sponsors and prizes, arranging sustenance for the hungry golfers and otherwise ensuring that the event was both enjoyable and financially worthwhile.
“Cancer affects everyone at some point in their life, whether directly or through someone they love,” Browning explains. “That’s why Stuart and I have been determined make a difference in some small way.”
This year, that ‘small’ contribution amounted to $25,000 for Love Your Sister, the cancer research charity that was founded by Samuel Johnson and his much-loved, late sister, Connie: the organisation has been the recipient of funds raised by TravelManagers’ annual golf day for the past four years. Although Johnson wasn’t able to attend the event this year, he was delighted with the result.
A strong showing for PTM Jo Haines’ clients at TravelManagers’ charity golf day: team ‘Bright Sparks’, consisting of Ben Goody, Chris Martin, Jason Prescott and Darren Ellingson, came first, while another of Haines’ team of clients finished third.
“Kellie Browning has been the driving force behind TravelManagers’ fundraising efforts, helping to raise Love Your Sister a total of over $75,000 for cancer research. This kind of money means the world to our researchers and I thank TravelManagers for their true commitment and extend my love to them at this particularly challenging time,” Johnson acknowledges.
Funds on the day were raised by collecting entry fees from the tournament’s 128 golfers (comprising personal travel managers (PTMs), clients and suppliers), as well as from generous sponsorships and tempting raffle prizes from partners.
(L-R) TravelManagers’ Graciela Craig, Pru Gallagher, Suzanne Laister, Kellie Browning, Despina Madden, Helen Georganas and Tania Myles were on hand to provide support
“We are very fortunate to work with partners who are overwhelmingly generous in their support of our event,” Browning acknowledges. “Prizes this year included a holiday for two to London with return economy class airfares thanks to Royal Brunei Airways, a Golden Triangle tour to India for two people thanks to Travel Sapphire, and a luxurious six-night Bali stay from Hoot Holidays.”
In total there were 18 raffle prizes on offer, with further prizes up for grabs on the golf course. Drinks stations were also sponsored by various industry partners, many of whom have supported the event since its inception in 2015.
Royal Brunei Airlines Sales Executive, Leah Keenan, says the airline is proud to have been a sponsor of the TravelManagers golf day every year since it began, and says she has personally enjoyed watching the event grow. She describes the golf tournament as “an awesome day which brings the industry together for some fun and the chance to network while supporting a great cause.”
128 players from as far afield as Caloundra, QLD, took part in the golf tournament which raised $25,000 for the ‘Love Your Sister’ cancer charity
“The Love Your Sister charity is one that I think everyone is happy to embrace and support. Just as we are all currently experiencing a world under quarantine, we all know someone who has been touched by cancer,” she continues. “The money raised over the past years has been truly heart-warming and I always look forward to hearing the final tally. Kudos to Kellie and the amazing TravelManagers team – I’m sure I speak for everyone during this time in saying, ‘we can’t wait for the next one!’”
Many of this year’s golfers were also longstanding supporters of the tournament, including PTM Mark Devers, who is TravelManagers’ representative at Gembrook, Victoria. He describes the golf day as his favourite event to attend each year.
An Insta-worthy snap of Business Partnership Managers Despina Madden & Kellie Browning captured the happy mood at Mornington Peninsula Golf Club
“I love getting together with fellow PTMs, clients, industry partners and friends for a fun day in a beautiful setting each year,” he says. “As a bonus, we are supporting an amazing charity which genuinely appreciates our efforts. The ongoing success of the day really shows the power and commitment of the whole TravelManagers team nationwide, and I feel very proud to have been involved from day one.”
“For the past three years I have been part of the TravelManagers Golf Day, and this year I had five teams of clients play, two of the teams for the third time!” adds Joanne Haines, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Berwick, Victoria. “It’s a great way for me and my clients to come together in a relaxed, very fun way, and support a wonderful charity.”
Key sponsor Travel Sapphire was represented by K J Slater (left) pictured with PTMs Maria Rainone & Julie Lunn
TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, says the company’s regular engagement with a variety of charitable causes all over Australia is “an integral part of the TravelManagers family’s culture.”
“Huge thanks in this case must go to Kellie, who is supported by Stuart and who really puts her heart and soul into the organisation of the day,” Gazal adds. “The majority of the work is done in her own time, and the feedback received from PTMs, clients and suppliers reflects their immense respect for her efforts.”
Browning says record attendance resulted in a full field of 32 teams, with players coming from as far away as Caloundra in Queensland and Randwick in New South Wales.
Ready to enjoy a bbq lunch at TravelManagers’ golf day (L-R): Trafalgar Tours’ Kristy Marshall and Suzy McPhail, AAT Kings’ Tammy Van Exan, Adventure World’s Travis Graham and Star Clippers’ Diana Devlin
“We were treated to lovely, settled weather – in fact, the temperature was below 40 degrees for the first time in six years, which made it much more comfortable out on the course! Everyone enjoyed the day, and with the incoming storm of COVID-19, it was great to see so many happy faces.”
For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers please contact Suzanne Laister on 1800 019 599.
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