Janet & Ralph Hogan — Creative Directors

Janet & Ralph are the designers, developers and creative directors of Villa Botanica. After building an exclusive purpose built venue, Janet & Ralph, along with daughter Hayley and her partner Ivor, established the premises as one of Australia’s most prestigious wedding venues.

Janet & Ralph have now relocated to Bali to build Botanica II using their creative vision and award winning formula developed over the past 5 years of operations.

You can read more about their story here.

David Bayne – General Manager

David Bayne has had 25 years of business experience and consulting. David has been a successful business owner in his own right and spent many years in the hospitality industry. Janet and Ralph asked David to join the team at Villa Botanica with the goal to make it one of the best wedding venues in the world. David has been happily married for almost 20 years and has 5 beautiful children. He believes marriage and family is an amazing experience and getting married at Villa Botanica increases that experience tenfold!

Craig Levitt — Client Services

Craig is our very own fountain of knowledge and is your first point of contact should you enquire about getting married at Villa Botanica. Craig will answer all of your questions and upon getting to know you and your partner will help create the perfect wedding package, tailored to suit your specific needs and dreams.

Kate Henley — Client Services

Kate previously spent many years working for Virgin Airlines on Hamilton Island and prior to that travelled extensively throughout Asia teaching English skills to children. She brings with her a strong work ethic and organisational skills and is responsible for overseeing the care of all clients from the time they book right until the day after their wedding.

Tanya Watts — Wedding Coordinator

With an extensive background in event management and after many years of living in Italy refining numerous culinary skills, British-born Tanya brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and experience to the team. Her warmth, expertise and genuine desire to help her brides achieve their vision make her the best in the business.

Gemma Garner — Wedding Coordinator

Having studied and worked as a Stage Manager for theatrical productions in England, Sydney and the Gold Coast, Gemma is like having your own little wedding conductor. Gemma’s no-nonsense approach will ensure that your planning process is seamless and simple and the day itself will leave you thinking that she has her own team of wedding fairies helping her to orchestrate the event.

Jane Sagi — Wedding Coordinator

Working previously as a long haul flight attendant for Qantas, a functions coordinator for a 70ft motor cruiser in Sydney Harbour, a corporate coordinator for Lexus and a boarding supervisor at a Catholic Girls School has culminated in one very personable and multi skilled women. Watch out though… months of working alongside this bubbly lady may leave your bridesmaids envious of your newfound best friend.

Georgie Madden — Functions

Georgie has just what you need to manage your wedding day. An eye for detail, a dedicated team of wait staff and a big giving heart that will see her ensuring that you and your guests are fed, hydrated and entertained to your heart’s content. Oh… and five years of experience working at Villa Botanica, equating to over 350 weddings to fine tune her talents also helps.

Danny Micallef — Maitre d’

Danny has relocated from Brisbane, bringing with him a vast 20 year repertoire of experience in hospitality. He has a passion for detail and making people feel relaxed and welcome. His “can do” attitude is a vital ingredient in providing a world class level of service.

Craig Fletcher — Executive Chef

With a culinary resume that reads like an international guidebook Craig is certain to produce a world class dining experience for you and your guests on your wedding day. Craig spent 16 years with the Hyatt Hotel Corporation working in their properties across Australia and Asia. These positions provided invaluable culinary experience for Craig, however the time came for Craig to return to more intimate dining and Villa Botanica provides the perfect home for him to do this.

Luke Smith — Sous Chef

After completing his apprenticeship Luke was awarded the winner of the World Skills Cookery Competition and went on to represent Queensland at the State finals. This award landed him a position on Hamilton Island where his talents were quickly realised and scaled up the ranks to Demi Chef at the prestigious 6 star Qualia Resort. After 2 years of island life Luke was keen to return to mainland Australia and did so through landing the position as Villa Botanica’s first ever Sous Chef.

Paula Brewer — Operations

Paula brings to the Villa Botanica team 15 years of IT experience, a blessing to our business which is run completely by a customised database. Paula is responsible for our processes and procedures and oversees the day to day operations of the Villa Botanica property. Paula and her family relocated from the UK to the Whitsundays after falling in love with the region during a holiday to visit their close friends.

Stacey Richardson — Administration

Stacey is our super organised and time efficient employee responsible for managing the accounts of our confirmed couples. As an engaged bride-to-be herself Stacey finds wedding day at Villa Botanica the highlight of her position and the perfect opportunity to pick up ideas for her own big day. After sitting in her seaside office during the day, Stacey is out on the water with her fiancé exploring the islands on one of their boats (yes that’s right …plural!)

Jade Korosec — Marketing

A contemporary website developer, a passion for online marketing, a love of all things on-trend and an addiction to glossy magazines makes Jade the ideal individual to promote Villa Botanica to brides to be. As an active member on the steering committee of WeddingsWhitsundays.Com Jade is passionate about promoting the Whitsundays as the wedding heart of Australia…. with Villa Botanica as the Jewel in the Whitsunday Crown.

Michael Lowden – Maintenance

As a qualified carpenter, Micheal has worked his trade on nearly every tropical North Queensland Island over the years and now he has his own piece of Queensland paradise to maintain in the five acre estate that is Villa Botanica. Working autonomously Micheal ensures that the property is kept in immaculate working order and that property improvements are always being made.

Debbie Niale — Guest Services

The most genuinely happy lady you will ever meet, Debbie is fast leaving her mark on our brides through her infectious personality. On wedding days Debbie is responsible for taking care of the brides and their bridal party in the villa, serving champagne and snacks, this she says is certainly her most favourite part of her job. During the week Debbie ensures that the Villa Botanica property is kept in pristine condition and we must say that since her arrival we have never seen the property sparkle like it does now.