Thankyou &quot;J&quot; for qualifying that! Simon Greenway is indeed a bonefide and valued client of Aussie Assist and has (apparently) offered the reference not only in good faith but as a result of months of lengthy consultation and exchange with me on his recent, extensive tour of the Outback and South Australia. Simon spent considerable time (as did I) carefully researching his options, sent out over 70 emails in the process and stated that his final choice was based on &quot;the level and quality of service, the quick turnaround and the &quot;value for money&quot; factor&quot; - his words, not mine.<BR><BR>I think it's a crying shame he was greeted with such a shallow, insensitive and unprofessional response - and tragic when it comes to this, Liz. My humble apologies to Simon and any other newcomers to this forum.<BR><BR>Whilst I (naturally) respect Fodors &quot;advertising policy&quot; and have resisted the temptation to answer questions on this forum, I do not, however, feel obliged to offer myself up as a dartboard to those with (apparently) nothing better to do, who have continued to denigrate my business and my service publicly and in doing so, have (seemingly) upheld the classic &quot;Ugly Australian&quot; image.<BR><BR>There are hundreds of contributions (in various disguises) on this forum, I haven't exactly committed a major crime in offering assistance, nor have I attempted to hide my true identity, my location or my objective - yet the abuse continues and now it has extended to attacking new visitors to this wonderful forum - yes, I agree - I do wish that Fodors would keep a closer check!<BR><BR>I don't see the need to get personal, - it doesn't reflect very well on us as a society or an Industry. Instead of wasting time on baseless, pointless and petty vendettas, we should all pull together in support of a common cause, which is simply to welcome everyone (without exception) to our beautiful shores and assist in their planning in whatever we we can - without compromise.<BR><BR><BR>Suzanne O'Malley<BR>Director<BR>Aussie Assist Tourism Services.<BR>

Hi, Suzanne!<BR>Is this a response to a post about a week and a half ago from a guy who raved about Aussie Assist? I did a search of 200 posts and couldn't locate it, so I can't really make much of a response to this present, alarmingly- heated thread, except to say that &quot;shallow&quot;, &quot;insensitive&quot;, and &quot;unprofessional&quot; seem to be awfully strong words applied to a forum which gives travel advice based on personal experience! I guess we ALL have to wear your charge of &quot;unprofessional&quot; (such a bad thing to be, Suzanne?), as NONE of us is a professional, except perhaps yourself -- we are all amateurs in the TRUE sense of the word... lovers... we all love travel and love to see people visit our home town. Speaking just for myself, I love this forum, too; I love to read all the input of the &quot;regulars&quot;, such as &quot;tragic&quot; (??!!) Liz, because I know and appreciate where they're &quot;coming from&quot;. I just get a little worried when professionals like yourself chime in with hard words for these good people and an agenda which doesn't quite seem to fit with what the board stands for (or, at any rate, what I think it stands for... maybe I am the one who's out of line!)<BR>Anyway, whatever Simon's connection (or lack thereof) with Aussie Assist, I am glad that he had a great time Down Under, and you can take real satisfaction in having helped that to come about. You need, I think, have no fears about Fodor's not supervising the board carefully enough, as they seem to have deleted the post which incensed you so much. What a pity, then, that they didn't also delete your hard words above, which probably seem a little overdone, to say the least, the morning after... and which are unlikely to do much good for Aussie Assist.

Well said Alan!

In reply...<BR>I have used Susans services on several occasions and have never had a better time. <BR>It sounds to me there are a few green eyed monsters lerking out there... maybe they should dry up and go away!<BR>

I think there are a few people out there who should abide by Fodors rules and cease advertising on the Forum!

My name is Simon Greenway. I have never used Aussie Assist amd if I did I would not &quot;advertise&quot; the issue on this forum. <BR>I was in Australia this year for a holiday and had a really great time. I made my own way around the country but did use the services of airlines once or twice. <BR>I really would like it if my name was not bandied about as it has been over the last week or so as I too believe that this is a forum for fellow travellers answering questions for others and should never be used as a platform by travel agents or anyone with connections with the travel industry. <BR>So please Aussie Assist find someone else for your advertising games.

Will the real Simon Greenway please stand up?

As an American I find it difficult to imagine the &quot;Ugly Australian&quot; image. I guess by this point in life I kinda of imagined it was reserved for we &quot;ugly Americans&quot;. But beside all that, I used this forum and read up on so many q's and a's on Australia and asked so very many additional questions. When hubby and I arrived in Sydney this past year we were fairly knowledgeable about your lovely country. I do believe that most all of the advice we'dbeen given came from plain folk (non-professional) and for that I am happy that Fodors requests no advertising on this site. I hope to continue receiving assistance from the very nice Aussies like Alan, Liz, Aussie, and Alph.<BR><BR>So perhaps Suzanne you should &quot;stow it&quot; and leave the advice giving to the true professionals of the net.

Dear LN<BR>It is because of people like you that people like Alan, Alf,Aussie and I continue to write and hope that what we suggest may go some way to making your holiday as special as it should be. <BR>May everyone on this site - including Suzanne - have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic New Year. <BR>Happy Holidays to one and all and if you are in Australia for the festive season may it be the most memorable ever and finally may Santa be very, very good to you. <BR>Liz<BR>

And now that the tone of this thread has gradually turned around and become pleasant (for which thanks, LN), it is timely to remember that BOTH Simon Greenways had a great time in Australia -- one with the aid of Aussie Assist, and one (equally rewarding)without. That, surely, is the important point to take away from all this.

Hi and seasons greetings!<BR><BR>I just thankfully found this forum tonight as I was searching for ideas on accomodation to Fiji.<BR>As an Australian, I have travelled around the globe and no matter where I go, I always find some good and not so nice people, services, accomodation and tours.<BR>Even when I went to Bali, Indonesia, where the locals are lovely, there was the odd cheat or swindler there.<BR>Some travel agents I've used charged me a premium and given awful suggestions which we unfortunately took. Others have been mediocre. That is why I'm trying to do it myself this time.<BR>Australians are good people, very laid back and like to laugh. We love tourists and often are more wary of how they see us.<BR><BR>All over the world people are the same.<BR><BR>Cheers and Merry X-Mas<BR><BR>Sarah

I am a Simon Greenway, infact I am THE one who went to Austrlia and had a great time. In fact so great I'd thought I'd share the whole trip with the world. If you're stuck for where to go in Oz, poeple have said our itinerary was pretty good: check it out at www.greenwayholidays.com - its a personal travel site. I'm not a travel agent... although the URL might convince you otherwise it was a friend who gifted it to me as a joke since I like travelling so much. Merry Xmas to all. Simon Greenway (one of the many probably...)

At last - the real Simon Greenway has emerged! Thankyou Simon, thankyou Liz, thankyou Alan and if I may, my closing words on this topic - I wish you all, the very best for 2003 and for your gracious responses. Cheers and welcome everyone! <BR><BR>Sincerely,<BR>Suzanne O'Malley.

Sorry Althea, almost forgot you - many thanks for your contribution - and hurry back please!<BR><BR>Suzanne<BR>Aussie Assist.