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.
Julie Telford
Co-founder
AKA: Jules
From: Hull, UK
Hobbies: Being a mummy, running & drinking fine red wine.
Asher Telford
Co-Founder
AKA: Ash
From: Kangaroo Island, Australia
Hobbies: Breeding Red Cats
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!
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
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
Michaela Veltri
Marine Biologist / Deckhand
AKA: Micca Micca
Likes: Yoga, diving and protecting the environment
Kory Bluck
Deckhand
AKA: Korca
From: Airlie Beach
Hobbies: DJ, Skateboarding, Adventuring
Ella Gowlett
Deckhand / Social Media Guru
AKA: El
From: Brisbane
Hobbies: Camping, fishing, photography .
Cassie Ryan
Deckhand
AKA: Glovebox
From: Sydney, Australia
Hobbies: Freediving, Festivals Travel
Languages: English
Donna Punch
Bus Driver / Savannah Guide
AKA: Dons
Hobbies: golf, BBQ’s twin, shopping with champagne
Languages: Australian
Jamie Otene
Deckhand
AKA: Jay
From: Country Vic
Hobbies: Camping, footy, Painting
Languages: English & Maori (little bit)
Payton Hamilton
Master Deckhand
AKA: Peyto
From: South Africa
Hobbies: Fishing, Boating, Talking nonsense
Languages: English/Afrikaans
Mark Ratchford
Skipper Med III
AKA: Marky Mark
Hobbies: Fishing, Boating, hanging out with family and friends
Languages: Australian
Petar Kustic
Skipper
AKA: PK
From:
Hobbies:
Languages: English
Riley Hughes
Skipper
AKA: Riley
From: Nothern Beaches, Sydney
Hobbies: Golf, Beers, Bernie
Languages: English (just) / Strayan’
Rosie Bullen
Deckhand
AKA:
From: Cornwall, UK
Hobbies: Diving, Running, Cooking
Languages: English
Sam Bloor
Deckhand
AKA: Sam the Man
From: Mackay
Hobbies: Spearfishing, flishing, photography
Languages: English
Shannon Burke
Deckhand
AKA: Shan
From: North Qld
Hobbies: Boating, Doofing, Chillin
Languages: English & Spanish
Tate Butler
Deckhand
AKA:
From: Whitsundays
Hobbies: Football, Cars, Fitness
Languages: English
Will Pitt
Deckhand
AKA: Wills
From:
Hobbies: Fishing, Playing Guitar, jamming with mates
Languages: