Penny Bones voted ‘Aussie Specialist of the Year 2008’

Every year, Tourism Australia celebrates the excellence and achievements of the tourism industry in selling and promoting Australia through its OZCARs awards.

This year’s UK Ozcars event, held recently in London, saw around 160 industry professionals join Tourism Australia for a night of recognition and celebration.

Southern Cross Travel, based in The Mint, Rye and Best Beech Hill, Wadhurst was delighted to have Penny Bones voted ‘Aussie Specialist of the Year 2008‘.

Penny, who is one of the proprietors of Southern Cross Travel, first visited Australia in 1969. She began her career in travel working with a London – Sydney overland company, set up by her (now) husband in 1971. She became an Australian citizen in 1982, and has lived or worked in all areas of Australia. Last year she visited the north west of Western Australia for the first time, thus completing her circuit of the country! Penny loves Australia, especially Sydney, where one of her daughters was born.

Her company, Southern Cross Travel, has specialised in long-haul, tailormade travel for over 30 years, with Australia and New Zealand being the top-selling countries.

‘To be recognised by your peers is a great feeling’ says Penny. ‘I am passionate about Australia, which makes it easy to sell. To sell this distant, vast country requires detailed knowledge, thus ensuring that our clients are not disappointed and get maximum value during their holiday. I hope to be able to continue my own travels to, and within, Australia for a very long time!’