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 45 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.
Owners Asher and Julie are incredibly proud of their family-operated business. They are passionate advocates for the tourism industry and continue to reside in Airlie Beach with their three sons, Kai, Brody and Tyde.
Julie Telford
Owner
AKA: Jules
From: Hull, UK
Hobbies: Being a mummy, running & drinking fine red wine.
Asher Telford
Owner
AKA:
From: Kangaroo Island, Australia
Hobbies: Breeding Red Cats
David Rose
General Manager
AKA: dR
From: Aukland, New Zealand
Hobbies: Sailing, racing cars and fine dining
Kerstin Altmann
Accounts
AKA: Any name that sounds like Kerstin (as nobody can pronounce it!)
From: Bavaria, Germany
Hobbies: Digging 4WDs out of the mud
Rebecca Crane
Office Manager
AKA: Bec
From: Perth, Western Australia
Hobbies: Drinking champagne!
Damian Suckling
Fleet Manager
AKA: Damo
Likes: Sailing, anything to do with sailing.
Melissa Bolton
Reservation Manager
AKA: Mel
Likes: Hiking, snorkelling and walking her doggy.
Dan Gabbert
Sales and Marketing Manager
AKA: Dan
Hobbies: Camping, Golf and being on the water
Kelvin Ho
Sales and Marketing Executive
AKA: Kel, Keith, Kevin, Calvin, Kelvinator
From: Hong Kong
Hobbies: Travel and spend time with the ocean
Luke Swift
Events Coordinator
AKA: Swifty
From: England
Hobbies: Football, Soccer, and fishing
Jessanie Johnsen
Deckhand & Savannah Guide
AKA: Jay Jay
From: Airlie Beach
Hobbies: Exercising, making people smile and learning about the environment
Nicholas Annett
Skipper & Fleet Assistant
AKA: Nicko
Likes: Sailing, golf and surfing
Shaun Brown
Skipper & Deckhand
AKA: Shaun
From: Darwin, NT
Hobbies: Exploring, fishing, boating and having a bloody good time!
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
AKA: Em
From: Warrnambool, VIC
Hobbies: Diving, research, plants & patting dogs
Michaela Veltri
Marine Biologist / Deckhand
AKA: Micca Micca
Likes: Yoga, diving and protecting the environment
Scott James Brown
Deckhand
AKA: Scotty
Likes: Exercise, being outdoors and in the ocean
Kory Bluck
Deckhand
AKA: Korca
From: Airlie Beach
Hobbies: DJ, Skateboarding, Adventuring
Rebecca Rollison
Sales and Reservations
AKA: Becca
From: Essex, United Kingdom
Hobbies: Pilates, being social and having fun
