About Us

Jason’s connection with Japanese culture and language started in 1998 when he moved to Japan to teach English. During his six years in Okaya (Nagano Prefecture) and Sapporo, he developed a deep passion for promoting intercultural awareness through education.

Driven by a commitment to fostering cross-cultural learning and the belief that cultural awareness is essential for personal growth, Jason founded Gold Educational Tours. Over the past 20 years, he has built and nurtured a dedicated team focused on creating meaningful connections between Japan and Australia. Through various educational programs, cultural exchange initiatives, and collaborative projects, Jason has tirelessly worked to bridge the cultural gap, enriching the lives of individuals and communities in both countries.

His leadership and vision have been instrumental in advancing the mission of Gold Educational Tours, continually inspiring his team to pursue excellence in intercultural education and understanding.

Darren is passionate about Japanese culture and excels at fostering connections between Japanese students and Australian students and families. As the Director of Homestay & Operations, he is dedicated to creating enriching homestay experiences that promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Darren’s commitment to building strong, supportive relationships has been key in helping students feel at home and gain a deeper appreciation for both cultures.

Wayne brings energy and enthusiasm to the office every day. As our Homestay Manager, he is passionate about people and dedicated to ensuring that both students and host families have an outstanding cultural exchange experience. Wayne takes great care of our homestay community, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where lasting connections are made and cherished.

While Wayne has never been to Japan, his study of martial arts has piqued his interest in Japanese culture. He loves the food and the polite respectfulness of the Japanese people. One of the aspects Wayne enjoys most about his role at GOLD is engaging with warm and welcoming host families, who are generous with their time and spirit. Good people are such a joy to work with.

Outside of work, Wayne enjoys the usual suspects: cricket, AFL, golf, food, and good red wine. With a career in sales and hospitality, he believes that every interaction is an opportunity to create memorable experiences and lasting connections.

Tomio’s journey in Australia began in 1991 when he arrived to work as a dive instructor at the Great Barrier Reef. Over the next decade, he shared his passion for diving with more than 1,000 students from across the globe.

In 1997, Tomio co-founded Australian Tour Specialists (ATS), pioneering Australia’s first online travel agency. His entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of the tourism industry laid the foundation for ATS’s success.

A talented visual storyteller, Tomio has always been passionate about creating compelling video content both above ground and underwater. His stunning images and videos, showcasing Western Australia’s beauty, have been featured by Tourism Australia and Getty Images.

In 2022, Tomio joined GOLD as a media and marketing consultant, bringing his wealth of experience in tourism and content creation. Recognising his valuable contributions, he was appointed Director of Media & Marketing in 2024.

Chieko, our Business Development Manager, focuses on improving our business processes. Born in Tokyo and experienced in countryside life in Kagoshima, she brings a unique perspective to her role. Chieko ensures smooth operations with a personal touch, respecting the diverse cultures and languages of her heritage.

Chieko has a deep love for Japanese culture, especially onsen, food, and the people. She finds it rewarding to see students, teachers, host families, and our staff enjoying our programs.

Outside of work, Chieko values family time but also enjoys traveling, good food, and staying active with sports like swimming and tennis. Her versatile career includes roles in network engineering, recruitment, educational support, business development, and operations management. Chieko’s strategic and committed approach helps create a professional yet welcoming environment for our team and clients.

Yuya, proudly hailing from Kasugai-city in Aichi prefecture, the same hometown as legendary MLB player Ichiro, oversees our Japanese operations with hometown pride and professionalism.

With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry in Japan and Australia, Yuya brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Inbound Tour Manager. His commitment to excellence ensures that our tours run seamlessly, while his dedication to fostering client relationships in Japan guarantees exceptional service. Yuya’s deep love for Japanese culture, particularly its diverse food culture, drives his passion for showcasing unique local foods from different regions.

At GOLD, he finds immense joy in introducing visitors from Japan to the beauty of Perth. Outside of work, Yuya indulges in his hobbies of surfing, gym exercises, and has recently taken up golf, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm.

Scott’s deep connection to Japan began as a JET Programme English Teacher in Saitama. He has a profound appreciation for how Japanese traditions, such as Taiko, Kimono, Kendo, and Sumo, are celebrated in modern-day society. In his role as South West Program Manager, Scott enjoys connecting with local communities to create international opportunities. Outside of work, he has a passion for performing music. His career is marked by diverse international experiences, with a strong focus on education, languages, and tourism.

Sachi brings her hard work and passion for cultural exchange to Western Australia’s South West region. She spearheads exchange programs in Busselton, Bunbury, and surrounding areas, creating enriching opportunities for cultural immersion and understanding. Sachi’s dedication as South West Program Manager, ensures that participants experience the beauty of cultural exchange while fostering meaningful connections in the picturesque landscapes of WA’s South West.

Deb is the heartbeat of our homestay program. As Homestay Support Manager, Deb uses exceptional interpersonal skills to ensures every host family’s needs are exceeded. From seamless transitions to fostering genuine connections, she tailors her support to match individual preferences. A phone call away, she offers a listening ear and a helping hand. With Deb, our host families join a supportive community dedicated to exceptional experiences.

Phoebe drives our design and marketing at Gold Educational Tours, creating campaigns that connect with our audience. Passionate about Japan and cultural exchange, she showcases the unique experiences we offer and enjoys seeing the friendships formed through our programs. Outside of work, you’ll often find Phoebe cycling by the river or spending time with her family. Her background in Communications and hospitality drives her passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Tiffany creates opportunities for Australian young adults to engage with Japanese students, fostering friendships, and facilitating incredible experiences across Western Australia. Tiffany’s passion for connecting young minds fuels her dynamic approach, ensuring each interaction is meaningful and every experience is memorable.

Tiffany’s affinity for Japanese culture was ignited during her high school years, leading to university scholarships and transformative exchange visits in 2014 and November. She deeply admires the richness of Japanese traditions and the innate kindness of its people.

At GOLD, Tiffany finds immense fulfilment in witnessing her youth leaders forge fast friendships with Japanese students, observing their growth into confident individuals with each tour they lead.

Beyond work, Tiffany immerses herself in neuroscience exploration and gaming. With a diverse career background spanning hospitality, medical administration, and clinical assistance, Tiffany’s journey at GOLD exemplifies her dedication to youth empowerment and intercultural understanding.

Shiho is from Yokohama, Japan. After graduating university, Shiho continued her love of travelling and after several trips to Australia, she decided to call Perth home.

The role of a Individual Program Manager is a natural fit for Shiho. Her compassionate and caring nature provides the perfect foundation for supporting our exchange students and host families, old and new.

Shiho thrives on interacting with our host families and students and her encouraging and sensitive approach has played an integral part in their journeys.

As our Accounts Manager and Tour Coordinator, Reiko handles our accounts and organises student tours and school programs with meticulous attention to detail. Reiko’s hard work ensures everything runs smoothly, from finances to travel arrangements. Her dedication enriches the educational experiences we offer, making every journey exceptional.

Mio is dedicated to crafting unforgettable experiences as our Inbound Tour Coordinator. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hospitality, Mio ensures seamless arrangements for our inbound tours. From coordinating itineraries to liaising with partners, she goes above and beyond to make every tour exceptional. Mio’s commitment to excellence shines through in her meticulous planning and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.

Yuki, a native Japanese speaker, holds an international business degree in Marketing and Management from the European Business School in London. Her career spans hotel management, office administration, business development, and sales. Since moving to Australia in 2009, she has held managerial roles in hotels, assisted a property developer, and worked as a Business Development Manager in the beauty industry. Most recently, she supported the Chief Sales Officer as a Sales Coordinator.

As Gold’s Inbound and Outbound Tour Coordinator, Yuki is passionate about creating unforgettable travel experiences. She loves connecting with people and ensuring every detail of their journey is perfect. A mother of three, Yuki enjoys an active lifestyle with her family and their rescued dog, Camby. She is dedicated to leveraging her skills for the company’s success.

Kanako specialises in meticulous planning and hard work as our Programme Coordinator. Kanako excels in coordinating seamless school programs, ensuring every detail is flawlessly executed. Her tireless dedication and commitment to excellence ensures that our programs are handled with precision and care, leaving a lasting impact on all involved.

Part of our Homestay team, Amanda’s bubbly and warm personality brings a special warmth to our team. Amanda works tirelessly to ensure host families have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. She visits families, offering her friendly support and building strong relationships. Amanda’s dedication and approachability make her a cherished member of our team, always ready to go the extra mile to foster a welcoming environment for everyone involved.

As a Community Engagement and Homestay Coordinator, Tom merges his passion for cross-cultural exchange with meticulous attention to detail. With a connection to Japan through childhood friends and his fascination with old-school Japanese sports cars, Tom infuses every homestay program with a touch of cultural authenticity.

Drawing from a diverse background as a qualified salesman, forklift operator, and comedian, Tom enjoys bringing cultures together and making a positive impact on the lives of young people. When he’s not at work, you can often find Tom out on the golf course, enjoying in his favourite hobby.

Lloyd’s connection to Japan started early, when he hosted his first Japanese student through Gold Educational Tours in year 6. This initial experience sparked a lifelong passion, leading him to immerse himself further in Japanese culture through a 3-month exchange in year 11 and a 1-year university exchange in Tokyo, where he studied economics and Japanese. Lloyd is deeply committed to sharing the joy of cultural exchange, using his own experiences to create opportunities for other students to explore Japan. Outside the office, Lloyd is an avid futsal player and finds endless fascination in Japan’s distinctive culture, diverse climate, and more.

Melissa graduated with a Master’s in Translation Studies from UWA in 2022 and has been working as a freelance JP-to-EN translator since then. Her passion for Japanese culture, cultivated through multiple visits to Japan, including a memorable study abroad program in Wakayama Prefecture, drives her enthusiasm for her role. Melissa is particularly fond of Japanese cuisine, with takoyaki being her all-time favorite dish.

As Gold’s Schools and Community Engagement Coordinator, Melissa is eager to foster connections and share her love for Japanese culture. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games and painting. Melissa is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to the community through her role.

Mami arrived in Perth in her 20s on a working holiday visa, studied at TAFE, got married, had twins, and has called Perth home ever since.

Mami’s passion for working with both Australian and Japanese students led to her being offered a part-time position at a prominent high school as an Assistant to the Japanese Teacher. Now, as our School Coordinator and Japanese teacher to some of our Aussie-speaking team members, she continues to bridge cultures and enrich the learning experiences of everyone involved.

Mika, a Tokyo native raised in Gunma, Japan, seamlessly integrates her passion for youth development, honed through volunteer work, with a career in hospitality and tourism.

As a School Coordinator within the Gold Team, she ensures a seamless experience for students, families, and schools, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of Gold’s educational programs.

Beyond her role, Mika enjoys hiking and discovering new and interesting places to eat in Perth. Her dedication to fostering personal growth and intercultural understanding enriches the educational journey for all involved, embodying the ethos of Gold Educational Tours.

Originally from Osaka and having lived in Tokyo for six vibrant years before settling in Perth, Maiko brings a deep connection to Japanese culture to her role.

As a School Coordinator, Maiko enjoys hearing students’ thoughts and guiding them through Gold programs, watching how they change and grow in a short time.

Outside of work, she enjoys surfing, reflecting her love for adventure alongside her love for Japanese cuisine. With experience in Japan’s travel industry, she excels in customer service, planning, and coordination, skills that seamlessly transition into her role as a support worker for people with disabilities, complementing her responsibilities at Gold Educational Tours.

Chihiro is an integral part of our schools coordinating team at Gold, overseeing numerous programs and providing on-the-ground support to both students and school staff. Her role involves ensuring smooth operations and facilitating effective communication between all parties involved.

Passionate about cultural exchange, Chihiro takes great pleasure in witnessing the friendships that develop between Australian and Japanese students. Her dedication to fostering these connections enhances the overall experience for everyone involved.