Banora International Group (BIG) brings together a team of committed individuals with a wealth of experience in specialised education and travel.
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Janine Bowmaker
Janine Bowmaker
Janine Bowmaker
Managing Director
Originally from: Ferntree Gully, Victoria but grew up in biggest littlest town in Australia, Mullumbimby, NSW!
Best travel memory: What? I can only list one?! Cooking with locals or riding an elephant in Thailand, Diving and
Fishing in the Whitsundays, Camping in Cape Tribulation or wining & dining in Spain. I LOVE being a tourist!
Strangest travel memory: There’s a lot of them, but bathroom etiquette in Japan was the strangest. Don’t ask!
Favourite place in the world: Anywhere with my family & friends – Home is where the heart is.
My travel tip: Get off the beaten track and meet the locals, they are what make your experience in any country
special and memorable.
What I enjoy most about my role: I love creating new ideas and the positive influence we have on tomorrow’s
leaders. Everyday is different in our office. There is no chance to become bored and the opportunities are endless.
Michael Bowmaker
Michael Bowmaker
Michael Bowmaker
Sales and Marketing Director
Best travel memory:
Strangest travel memory:
Most of my strange memories are related to food: Eating dog in Shanghai; Rat in Indonesia or Scorpions in Beijing. It’s a wonder I am still alive!
Favourite place in the world:
Relaxing in a restaurant on the French Riviera.
Always wear clean undies, even if you have to borrow them.
Junko Godwin
Junko Godwin
Homestay Manager / Tour Coordinator
Junko Godwin
Originally from: Busy Tokyo, Japan
Best travel memory: Wearing t -shirts in -30 degree in Alaska and diving 40m below the sea in Saipan.
Strangest travel memory: Eating snake, dog and something else! The Tour Escort did not want to tell us what we were eating!
Favourite place in the world: My bed at my house.
What I enjoy most about my role: Being a part of student’s memories, influencing the younger generation about caring for nature and our Earth globally
Akane Fujii
Akane Fujii
Gold Coast Manager
Originally from: Japan. I was born in Hokkaido, which is snow paradise and grew up in Nara, a very ancient city.
Yumi Sugai
Yumi Sugai
Coordinator
Originally from: Niigata, Japan – known for its high-quality rice and spectacular fireworks displays in Summer!
Yoshie Matsukura
Yoshie Matsukura
Sydney Coordinator