The Leisure Options Team

Australia’s caring experts in disability and supported travel

At Leisure Options, we believe everyone deserves the joy of travel. We are Australia’s most trusted disability travel experts – an NDIS registered provider with over 30 years of experience creating fun, safe, and inclusive holidays and respite care for adults with disabilities.

We’re proud to have a group of warm, highly skilled professionals who bring decades of experience across disability support, health, travel, business and community work.

From your first call to the last day of your trip, our team of coordinators, administrators and tour leaders are here to make your journey seamless. Whether you’re dreaming of a group getaway, a one-on-one supported holiday, or some well-deserved respite, you’ll always be supported by people who genuinely care and love what they do.

In the office: Where every great holiday begins

Our office team is your first point of contact – booking holidays, planning itineraries, organising paperwork, speaking with families and coordinators, and making sure everything is ready before your suitcase is packed.

They are the quiet heroes behind the scenes – the people giving every holiday its smooth start.

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Gary Elliott

Gary Elliott

Managing Director

Warm, calm, and quietly hands-on, Gary has been guiding Leisure Options since 2010. With over 30 years of business leadership along with a Certificate IV in Disability, he oversees the entire organisation - and still heads out on tour whenever he can. He loves seeing travellers achieve things they once thought were out of reach and experience the pure joy of discovering new places. When he’s not leading the team, Gary is outdoors - fishing rivers, exploring the coast or making memories with his family.

Cathy Boyce

Cathy Boyce

Health, Safety & Compliance Coordinator

With nearly 40 years as a registered nurse, Cathy is the reassurance every traveller wishes they had in their corner. She oversees safety, compliance and clinical guidance for all tours and supports our staff with training, mentoring, and 24/7 clinical advice when needed. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Health Science, Certificate IV in Disability, intensive care and clinical research qualifications, and is an NDIS Quality and Safeguards Auditor. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her adult children and keeping up with her many professional interests.

Monika Pratignyo

Monika Pratignyo

Chief Financial Officer

A steady and reassuring presence since 2012, Monika keeps our operations running smoothly. She has a background in chartered accounting and over 30 years of experience in the field. At Leisure Options, Monika helps manage our accounts, payroll, transactions and financial reporting. She loves collaborating with the team and supporting the work that goes into every trip. Away from the office, Monika enjoys British dramas, gardening, and spending time with her grandkids.

Steven White

Steven White

Senior Travel Coordinator

Steven manages the logistics of our supported holidays, researching destinations, liaising with suppliers, building itineraries, and designing our annual tour program and brochure. He loves helping travellers achieve their goals and experience “firsts” they’ll never forget. A lifelong traveller himself, Steven is happiest exploring the US, relaxing in Southeast Asia, wandering Disney Parks, or curled up with his dogs watching a good movie.

Helen Cass

Helen Cass

Office Administrator

If you’ve ever called our office, chances are you’ve heard Helen’s cheerful voice. Since 2021, she’s been handling bookings, applications, invoices and day-to-day support for travellers, families and coordinators. Helen loves hearing the excitement in travellers’ voices - and the joy in their photos when they return. She’s a self-confessed “Disney adult”, loves axe-throwing (yes, really!), and enjoys anything that brings fun and laughter into her life.

Marty Ryan

Marty Ryan

Volunteer Office Assistant

Marty has been travelling with Leisure Options since 2006 and has completed an incredible 69 holidays (and counting!). Now retired from 35 years delivering mail and milk, he volunteers with Leisure Options each week - helping with photo albums, tour packs, keeping the office organised and making everyone smile. His favourite trips? Tamworth and Paris Disneyland. Marty says Leisure Options has helped him make friends and see the world - and we say we’re lucky to have him on the team.

How we support you

Your safety and well-being come first

Every traveller is supported by a team with strong disability experience, professional training and the qualifications needed to provide safe, high-quality care.

Training and certifications

All Key Leaders and Tour Leaders hold:

NDIS Worker Screening Check
NDIS Worker Orientation Module
Annual mandatory training
Current First Aid and CPR certifications
Additional disability-specific qualifications, depending on their role

24-hour nursing support

Our team has access to round-the-clock nursing advice and clinical support throughout every holiday. That means if any health concern arises – big or small – help is always close by.

People who truly love what they do

Our team bring energy, kindness, and genuine passion to every holiday. Whether it’s helping you achieve a personal goal, discover a new place, or simply enjoy the moment, they’re right there with you every step of the way.

On Tour: Meet the people who travel with you

Key Leaders & Tour Leaders

These are the people travellers remember long after the suitcase is unpacked. They’re trained, qualified and deeply experienced in disability support. But just as importantly, they’re warm, patient, energetic people who genuinely love what they do.

Tour Leaders support travellers with personal care, medication, social participation, daily routines, community access, meal preparation and all the little moments that make a holiday special.

Key Leaders do all of the above and also oversee logistics, manage holiday finances and accommodation, complete pre- and post-tour preparation and ensure the smooth running of each trip.

Get to know the people who’ll be by your side on tour, below

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Maureen

Meet Maureen

With more than 25 years of disability-related experience, Maureen is one of our most trusted and knowledgeable team members. She brings deep expertise - including qualifications in Disability, Mental Health, Infection Control, Anaphylaxis Management, Manual Handling and more. Travellers love her steady, soothing presence and the way she quietly builds confidence in every person she supports. When she’s not on tour, she’s swimming, reading, travelling or walking - always planning her next adventure.

Inge

Meet Inge

Organised, energetic and full of heart, Inge brings qualifications in Tourism (Guiding) and business, plus a natural gift for helping travellers feel comfortable and included. She’s brilliant at creating social connections, capturing photos for keepsake albums and keeping tours running smoothly. Inge loves discovering new places, walking with friends, cosy movie nights and getting lost in a good book.

Brenda

Meet Brenda

Brenda has been part of the Leisure Options team since 2013 and is lucky enough to be able to balance her love of travel and her passion in assisting others to challenge themselves and expand their life experiences. Brenda is easy going with a good sense of humour and loves meeting people of all ages. Brenda has a background and education in social work and community development. She moved into the disability field and completed an advanced diploma of disability along with a diploma of leadership and management. Her hobbies include walking, tennis, reading and eating.

Sharon

Meet Sharon

Sharon brings a gentle, encouraging presence that makes her a favourite among travellers. With a Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, and a Certificate III in Community Services, she loves supporting people as they work toward their NDIS goals, build confidence and enjoy those special “first-time” moments. When she’s not on tour, she’s all about family time with her five grandkids, cooking, gardening, arts, crafts, and riding her e-bike along the beach.

Deb

Meet Deb

Deb brings a rare mix of compassion, humour, and professional strength supported by her Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance). Travellers love her easy, warm approach and the way she makes every day feel important. A music fan across every genre, she also volunteers with the Lions and the Ambulance and balances life with travel, family, and her small business.

Judy

Meet Judy

Judy has spent years supporting people with disabilities, backed by qualifications including a Diploma of Disability, Certificate IV Disability and PEG Feeding Management. Her friendly, upbeat nature helps travellers feel comfortable right away. She loves seeing people enjoy themselves, make friends and relax into the rhythm of a holiday. Off tour, you’ll find her keeping fit, going out and planning her next trip.

Megan

Meet Megan

Megan brings a professional background in psychology (Bachelor of Social Science), coupled with a Certificate IV in Disability, Community Services qualifications, and Pool Lifeguard certification. She has a natural gift for making travellers feel supported, confident and ready for adventure. She’s happiest near water - swimming, at the beach or trying water sports - or at home with her dog, crafting, baking, or dreaming up her next cultural getaway.

Janene

Meet Janene

Janene’s background as a State Enrolled Nurse, along with her Aged Care qualifications, gives her a strong clinical foundation - but it’s her warmth and joy that travellers remember most. She loves seeing people make friends and enjoy new places. Outside of work, she enjoys holidays of her own, tasting unusual foods, gardening and time with her grandchildren.

Meet Belinda

Belinda is deeply experienced in disability support, with more than 27 years in the field and a Certificate IV in Disability. She brings confidence, care and a big sense of adventure to every tour. She’s down-to-earth, energetic, and loves helping travellers experience the world on their own terms. Away from work, she’s outdoors - camping, hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, or kayaking - or playing the African drums with infectious enthusiasm.

Helen Ashby

Meet Helen

Helen's gentle, grounded nature helps travellers feel relaxed and welcome from the start. With a Certificate IV in Disability and Manual Handling, she’s skilled, steady and always up for a new adventure. She loves exploring beaches and bush tracks, discovering new destinations, cooking, gardening, sewing, reading and enjoying good food with good company.

Sandy

Meet Sandy

Sandy combines serious skill - Certificate IV in Disability, plus qualifications in Manual Handling, Infection Control, Food Handling, Epilepsy Management and Medication Management - with a bold, adventurous spirit. Travellers love her lively, uplifting energy. Her world outside of work is full of colour: tropical fish tanks and exotic fish, country-style living, music festivals, rodeos, and high-energy motorsport.

Brea

Meet Brea

Brea has worked in disability support since 2019 and can’t imagine doing anything else. She brings strong qualifications, including Certificate IV Disability, Advanced Mealtime Management, Asthma Management, Diabetes Management, Bowel Care and Enteral Feeding. She’s vibrant, patient and passionate about helping travellers try new things and feel proud of themselves. Away from tours, Brea loves music, theatre, dancing, crafting, history, and the Korean language - she’s visited twice and is still learning after four years.

Become a Leisure Options Tour Leader

Are you passionate about travel, supporting people with disabilities, and creating incredible holiday experiences? Join our team of dedicated Tour Leaders!

If you’re ready to bring your energy, kindness and expertise on board, we’d love to hear from you!

Call us on 1300 363 713 or email us at mail@leisureoptions.com.au to get started.