The History of Red Cat Adventures
In 2004 Asher Telford, a local skipper on Tongarra and Julie Telford, a backpacker from the UK, met in Airlie Beach. In April 2011, they became the proud owners of the mighty Tongarra Sailing vessel and began their amazing journey into the Tourism Industry. In 2015 Red Cat Adventures brand was launched when they built a custom-made vessel called Thundercat.
Red Cat Adventures has continued to grow and develop and now happily boasts four custom-made catamarans, the original 12m sailing vessel Tongarra, and employs a family of 62 staff members.
Red Cat Adventures prides itself on choosing the right staff for each product. The company is now led by a great team of managers and an incredible boat crew. The business’s success is due to long-term employees, hard work and dedication to the environment and tourism Industry.
In Feb 2024, Red Cat Adventures was acquired by SeaLink Marine and Tourism and became part of the Brilliant Travels family.
Asher and Julie are incredibly proud of their Australian National Award-winning Australian. They are passionate advocates for the tourism industry and continue reside in Airlie Beach with their three sons, Kai, Brody and Tyde.
Asher Telford
Co-Founder / General Manager
AKA: Ash
From: Kangaroo Island, Australia
Hobbies: Breeding Red Cats
Julie Telford
Co-founder/Business Development Manager
AKA: Jules
From: Hull, UK
Hobbies: Being a mummy, running, playing tri-dominos, & drinking fine red wine.
Dan Gabbert
Sales and Marketing Manager
AKA: Dan
From: Brisbane, QLD
Hobbies: Camping, Golf and being on the water
Glenn Anderson
Training and Operations Manager
Languages: English, Australian, Canadian, American, Scottish, Kiwi
From: Brisbane, Australia
Hobbies: Gambling, learning, diving
Kelvin Ho
Sales and Marketing Executive
AKA: Kel, Keith, Kevin, Calvin, Kelvinator
From: Hong Kong
Hobbies: Travel and spend time with the ocean
Hans Ulrich
Operations Manager
AKA: Hans the tank
From: Netherlands
Languages: Dutch, English, German
Hobbies: 4WDriving, camping, scuba diving, gym, weightlifting
Ashlee Gardner
Reservations Manager
AKA: Ash
From: Born and bred local from Airlie Beach
Hobbies: Laying on the grass in the sun, swimming in the pool with family, love tr-dominos
Danielle Purdon
People and Culture Manager
From: Australia
Hobbies: Camping, Boating, dining experiences
Luke Swift
Sales Manager
AKA: Swifty
From: England
Hobbies: Football, Soccer, and fishing
Reece Fearnside
Skipper
AKA: Reecy
From: Brisbane
Hobbies: Spear fishing, exploring adventures and free diving for treasure
Ian Dreadlox
Deckhand & Tour Guide
AKA: Ian
From: Brisbane, QLD
Hobbies: I love the great outdoors, if I’m not on the water I’m in the air skydiving, bit of land, air and sea is what I live for!
Emily Monacella
Environmental Specialist | Master Reef Guide | Savannah Guide
AKA: Em
From: Warrnambool, VIC
Hobbies: Diving, research, plants & patting dogs
Kaz Morrison
Skipper & Master Reef Guide
From: Victoria
Languages: English
Hobbies: Diving, Snorkeling, having fun with my family, and looking at the stars
Shannon Burke
Skipper / Master Reef Guide
AKA: Shan
From: North Qld
Languages: English & Spanish
Hobbies: Travelling, diving, Boating, surfing, skating, doofing and showcasing the Whitsundays
Michaela Veltri
Marine Biologist / Deckhand
AKA: Micca Micca
Likes: Yoga, diving and protecting the environment
Kory Bluck
Skipper
AKA: Korca
From: Airlie Beach
Hobbies: DJ, Skateboarding, Adventuring
Donna Punch
Bus Driver / Savannah Guide
AKA: Dons
Hobbies: golf, BBQ’s twin, shopping with champagne
Languages: Australian
Mark Ratchford
Skipper Med III
AKA: Marky Mark
Languages: Australian
Hobbies: Fishing, Boating, hanging out with family and friends
Sam Bloor
Deckhand
AKA: Sam the Man
From: Mackay
Hobbies: Spearfishing, flishing, photography
Languages: English
Elisa Behrens
Deckhand
AKA: Eli
From: Germany
Languages: German, English
Hobbies: Watch the sunrise, play mermaids, jump out of planes
Rosie Bullen
Deckhand
AKA: Noodles
From: Cornwall, UK
Languages: Cornwall, UK
Hobbies: Diving, learning, and travelling the world
Julia Magowan
Deckhand
AKA: Jules
From: Northern Ireland
Languages: English
Hobbies: Riding my purple moped into the sunset, cold beer with friends, meeting new people
Tony Ritter
Skipper
AKA: ToneZone
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Languages: Aussie
Hobbies: Videography, yacht racing, Making timber furniture
Daniel Lane
Skipper
From: Texas, USA
Languages: English
Hobbies: Scuba Diving, hiking, boating
Patrick Atkins
From: Australia
Languages: English
Hobbies: Fishing, playing guitar, and cooking
Charlotte Cowan-Hartwig
Deckhand
AKA: Char
From: UK
Languages: German, English
Hobbies: PLaying mermaids, hiking, sleeping
Julie French
Deckhand
From: UK
Languages: English
Hobbies: Scuba Diving, Running along the boardwalk, hiking with friends
Nikki Khan
Deckhand
From: London, UK
Languages: English
Hobbies: Riding my pink motorbike, spending time in the water snorkelling, diving, marina jugs at Sorrentos after a fun day on the boats
Jaime Otene
Deckhand
From: Victoria, Australia
Languages: English, Maori
Hobbies: Playing football, painting, snorkelling
Jayde Wark
Deckhand
AKA: Jayde
From: Australia
Languages: English
Hobbies: Being on the water, showing people the ocean, learning new things
Kurt Betham
Skipper
From: New Zealand
Languages: English
Hobbies: Adventure, relaxing, and sending it on my surfboards
Savannah Clarke
Deckhand
AKA: Savannah
From: Melbourne, Australia
Languages: English
Hobbies: Gym, exploring outisde, freediving
Jared Lawrence
Skipper
From: New Zealand
Languages: English
Hobbies: Drive Boats, beer, holidays at home
Lewis Williamson
Deckhand
AKA: Lew
From: Yorkshire, UK
Languages: English
Hobbies: Fishing, football and being out on the water
Natalya Maree Barber
Skipper
AKA: Nat
From: Gisborne, New Zealand
Languages: English
Hobbies: Waterskiing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, diving, snorkelling, and travelling
Kobi Aquaria Curtis
Deckhand
From: Lennox Head, Australia
Languages: English, Indonesian
Hobbies: Marine life learning, snorkelling, diving and planting baby corals