Our team of travel planning experts and experienced Journey Directors ensure your experience is world-class.
Management Team
Fiona Mietchen Painter
General Manager – Bill Peach Journeys
Fiona attained a Distinction Honours Degree in Political Science from the University of Sydney where she expanded on her avid interest in international relations and domestic affairs. After roles in finance as a Project Manager and Team Leader and extensive international travel working as a tour leader on the Trans Siberian Railway through Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and China, Fiona first joined Bill Peach Journeys over 20 years ago. Her first role at Bill Peach Journeys was in the Reservations Team and she also spent many years on the road as one of our favourite Journey Director’s. She became the Reservations Manager and from there continued her rapport with the many clients she had met while leading tours and streamlined many department procedures. Fiona then moved into the role of Design & Marketing Manager and enjoyed great success in markedly increasing direct sales due to her new design and brochure style. Fiona is and always has been a passionate employee of Bill Peach Journeys and thoroughly enjoys bringing our amazing adventures to our appreciative and select clientele.
Top 5 destinations I have travelled to: Bora Bora, Namibia, Switzerland, Esperance, Mt Cook
Destination I would like to visit next in Australia: Victoria’s High Country
Destination I would like to visit overseas: Maldives
Michelle De Giovanni
Reservations Manager
Michelle has been an integral part of the Bill Peach Journeys team for over 9 years. As Reservations Manager, Michelle is the heart and soul of client contact at Bill Peach Journeys, taking great advantage of all the knowledge that she has amassed over this time with the organisation. She ensures each guest is given the utmost in personal attention. She boasts over 20 years of experience in the travel industry including 5 years with Jetset Tours, 10 years with Singapore Airlines and 3 years with Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts.
To email the reservations team, or for any reservations questions, email reservations@billpeachjourneys.com.au.
Top 5 destinations I have travelled to: Maldives, Italian Riviera – San Remo, Greek Islands – Santorini, Uluru, Kakadu
Destination I would like to visit next in Australia: Tasmania
Destination I would like to visit overseas: Italy, The Dolomites
Kelly Maguire
Operations Executive
Kelly joins the Bill Peach team bringing with her over 22 years’ experience in the travel industry. As a valued member of our Operations Team, Kelly has a vast understanding of what is required to create the perfect journey for our guests. Her love of travel is fuelled by her own first hand travel adventures, including living in Brazil for a year. With photography being her other passion, Kelly and her camera have visited many countries around the world, however one of her most memorable travel experiences was gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Top 5 destinations I have travelled to: Brazil, Egypt, Greece, Uganda, Kenya
Destination I would like to visit next in Australia: Northern Territory
Destination I would like to visit overseas: Italy
Our Journey Directors
Lesley Neil
Universally loved, Lesley’s exciting career includes working for the BBC in Sydney and London for several years. She boasts 30 years in the tourism industry, the last 20 as a tour manager. When she is not hosting Bill Peach Journeys, she is a part of Tourism Tasmania’s Visiting Journalist programme, and also works with Italian and Czech colleagues creating hiking and cultural tours in Tuscany and Central Europe.
Jennie Pyrke
Jennie has a varied background caring for people with early careers as a Registered Nurse and as a domestic and international Flight Attendant. A 10 month holiday to the UK, Scandinavia, and Europe in her 20’s began her love affair with travel and led to her passion as a Tour Manager for over 20 years, starting with Bill Peach Journeys in 1990. She has since escorted tours and travelled to the USA, Canada, China, Japan and all through Asia, the Middle East and many countries in Europe and South America. Jennie has many favourite memories to share and is always looking forward to the next journey as there is always something new to experience with fellow travellers.
Virginia Jeffries
Virginia has been exploring the globe for decades, clocking an amazing 41 years as a Domestic and International Flight Attendant with Ansett and Qantas Airlines. She has adventured in almost every continent, with Antarctica still on her bucket list!. In 2002 Virginia, brought her passion for travel and unique experiences to the Bill Peach Journeys Team. 22 years ago she gained her pilot’s licence, opening up the hidden gems and crazy characters of Australia’s outback. Virginia is passionate about ensuring each guest’s travel experience is seamless and memorable.