The Unexpected Start
I was fifteen, nervous but determined, when I first walked through the glass doors of Harvey World Travel Lakehaven. The start to My Journey in Travel was a work experience placement for year 10. It was a chance, I thought, to see what ‘real work’ felt like. At that point, my world was still small. I’d only travelled around Australia with my family, and overseas adventures felt like something other people did.
But I jumped in, eager to help, always looking out for what I could do next. By the end of my placement, the team saw something in me. They offered me a real job, my first full-time position. A thrill ran through me. I felt chosen, excited, certain that I was about to step into something big… even if I didn’t know exactly what.
First Taste of a Wider World
Four weeks later, I found myself standing on the deck of the FairStar The Fun Ship, salty wind in my face, laughter all around. It was my very first “famil” an industry trip designed to show us the magic of cruising. My journey in travel truly began to unfold here.
I still remember the feeling: wide-eyed wonder, watching the coastline slip away, my heart racing with the possibility of what lay beyond the horizon. I was hooked. Travel, I realised, wasn’t just about places. It was about new beginnings, unexpected friendships, stories you’d tell for the rest of your life.
The photo below is from that very first work trip. I’m on the right with friends I met on the cruise. We had so much fun. Look at that baby face!
A Lifetime in Travel – and One Life-Changing Loss
Fast forward thirty-seven years. I’ve worked in travel ever since. From those early days at Lakehaven, through company changes (Harvey World Travel became HelloWorld), to running my own agency today. I’ve sent thousands of people on their dream journeys. I’ve learned every corner of the industry from last-minute passport dramas to the best table on a sunset cruise. My journey in travel encompassed countless experiences and challenges.
But my purpose shifted in 2015, the year my father died at just 64. He’d spent decades working hard, looking forward to retirement, planning all the things he would finally have time for. But he never got the chance. He never took that ‘someday’ trip.
His loss shook me. Suddenly, travel wasn’t just about seeing the world. It was now about making every year count. As a travel advisor with over three decades experience, for me, it became about helping myself and others use their healthiest, happiest years to chase bucket list dreams through the joy, connection, and meaning of travel.
Why I Do What I Do Now
This was when WorldLee Journeys was born. With a clear mission, I now specialise in helping those over 50, people like my father, my clients, myself and my husband to plan and savour the trips that matter most. The big adventures, the quiet moments, the bucket-list travel journeys. My overall journey in travel has taught me the value of every single trip.
Whether it’s:
- A sunrise balloon ride over the Serengeti in Africa
- The gentle pace of river cruising through Europe, wine glass in hand
- The elegance of luxury small ships: Ponant, Tauck, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas
- That first step into a tropical overwater bungalow, sunlight flickering on the turquoise water below
I don’t just sell trips. I help people claim the time they have, honour their dreams, and create memories that outlast everything else. Travel has given me more than a job. It’s given me healing, perspective, and a reason to help others live fully, now.
Below is a picture of my husband, Darren and I on safari in South Africa. This was one of our favourite bucket list travel trips ever.
My Journey in Travel: What I’ve Learned and What I Want for You
If there’s one thing my years in travel has taught me, it’s this: Don’t wait for ‘one day.’ The world is wide, time is precious, and your happiest moments are waiting for you to say yes. That is the core message I’ve learned throughout my journey in travel.
If you’re over 50 and wondering if it’s too late, or too complicated, or if you’ll really enjoy it, trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve helped clients through the nerves and doubts, but I’ve also seen the joy on their faces when they come home having accomplished a life dream with another adventure ticked off their travel bucket lists.
So whether you’re dreaming of Africa’s wild heart, the comfort of a luxury cruise in paradise, or just sitting quietly beside someone you love, let’s talk. I’d love to help you plan your next chapter.
Because travel, at its best, isn’t just about where you go. It’s about who you become and the memories you carry home.
FAQ: My Journey in Travel
What was your very first travel job?
Age 15 at Harvey World Travel Lakehaven (now HelloWorld) after showing initiative during my school work experience.
How did you get into the industry so young?
I asked questions, jumped in wherever I could, and was offered a job! Sometimes, enthusiasm and initiative are your best qualifications.
What’s a ‘famil’ and why was it important?
A ‘famil’ is a familiarisation trip for travel professionals. My first was the FairStar Fun Ship. It opened my eyes to the magic of travel.
Why do you focus on travellers over 50?
After losing my father before he could retire, I realised how important it is to make every year count and now help others do the same.
Favourite travel experiences to recommend?
Africa, river cruising, luxury small ships, and tropical getaways. Anything that sparks joy and feels truly special.
Want to plan your own “someday” trip?
Let’s create your travel bucket list together. Don’t let “someday” slip away.
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