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JANUARY 2011
Love is in the Air - Who woud have thought 2 strangers from this flight would end up in love!?
To all the staff at Global Ballooning, I would love to share my story that began on Australia Day 2010! As I made my way out to Rochford Winery to take my Mum for her 80th Birthday balloon flight (it was on her bucket list!!) I had no idea that my life was about to change forever! My cousin Dan from WA and myself were just observers on the day, I live in Lilydale so the 3.45am alarm wasn't so bad. We arrived at Rochford at 4.25am and as we opened the door to the winery I immediately noticed a gentleman sitting alone at a table. My heart kind of missed a beat as we smiled politely at each other, I really wasn't sure what was going on! The rest of the place had couples scattered at tables and I remember thinking I hope he doesn't think my cousin is my husband! The morning began to unfold as we were welcomed and set off on the bus looking for the best place to launch. It seemed that we kept ending up in the same spot and making small talk with each other.
Everyone going ballooning was in the basket and that's when I was asked if I would like a standby flight as there was one spare spot. Mum and the lovely gentleman were in the same section of basket so I climbed in with them. The next hour and 12 minutes were spent chatting as we looked out over the Yarra Valley and being very entertained by our pilot Brian. The weather was perfect and we couldn't have asked for anything more! As you know the champagne breakfast followed and David ( I knew his name by now) happened to sit with us, I was to find out later we both knew there was something going on between us!! Well with breakfast over we said our goodbyes and I couldn't help thinking I wish I had the courage to invite him to join us at my place for a cup of tea before he went back to his home in Geelong. Later he told me he sat in the carpark for minutes waiting as he wanted to ask me to go for a drive in the Yarra Valley!
All I could think about and talk about was our morning ballooning and this lovely man to all my family and friends, I kept saying I got so much more than I paid for because I fell in love!
Anyway 6 days later I shared my story with my friend Michelle and she said she was going to call you and find out how she can get myself and David connected! I was beside myself and telling her not to, but deep down hoping she would. It was on the 1st February Michelle called and gave my number to Global Ballooning and it was passed onto David, he called on Tuesday 2nd Feb!! I wish I knew who took the call that day so I could personally thank them!! At the time he was in QLD visiting family so we went out for lunch on the 18th February to Rustic Charm at Wandin. There has been many dates since and we are making plans for a future together. It was an amazing day on 26/01/10 and I want to thank Brian (pilot) , the lovely girl who passed on my number to David and Global Ballooning!! It's 2 weeks today and the anniversary of our meeting each other will be here. My Mum loved the day too, what a way to spend her 80th birthday!!
I've shared my ballooning experience with so many people and I'm sure they think if they go ballooning they will fall in love too!!
David and I would really like to pass on what a great job Brian the pilot did on the day. He was fun, full of knowledge and so entertaining whilst being professional and obviously amazing at his job. I know this is a very long story but I felt I needed to tell all to do it justice!
Yours sincerely, Marg
DECEMBER 2009
The year that was for Global Ballooning, 2009
In 2009 our region was faced with some significant challenges post Black Saturday in February this year. With tremendous support, outstanding contribution and inspirational courage from local community and beyond, Global Ballooning along with other tourism operators in and around Yarra Valley remain strong and optimistic.
For more information on Summer Fire Safety in 2010 please visit: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/summer/bushfireseason.htm
New Staff and New Balloons
As the largest operator in Victorian skies we are always updating our balloons. This year is no exception with the introduction of our new 'Chandon Balloon' gracing our Melbourne skies and our beautiful new 'Alawoona Balloon' which is based out in the Yarra Valley.
We actually named the 'Alawoona Balloon' by running a competition in the local Mountain Views Mail late last year.
We received over one hundred entries and the winning entry was entered by Ms Anna Walter from Warburton with the name Alawoona which is Aboriginal for place of hot winds.
We also have a new office team in the Global Headquarters: Elise Duggan, Erin O'Brien and Carina Vera. They are the friendly voices on the phone to assist with any ballooning bookings and enquiries.
Farewell to Andy Edney
It was with great sadness in October this year our team particularly our Melbourne operation lost a dear friend, Andrew Edney, also know as the 'professor' of ballooning. Andrews's knowledge, expertise and humour will be sorely missed.
Global Ballooning attended the Australian Hot Air Ballooning Championships
In July this year our chief pilot Kiff Saunders and co-pilot John Sanderson spent the week (July 6-12) in Benella competing in the National Ballooning Championships! Teams from around the country competed in the championship. You may ask yourself how do balloon pilots race each other? It is not a race, pilots and their crew are given the opportunity to show off their manoeuvrability, navigating through a series of tasks with the hope of scoring top points. We were very proud of Kiff and John's achievement as they put in a great effort and placed 5th overall! Click here to view photos from the event.
Waiving the flag for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
To assist and support the promotion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Australia we have added a banner to our 'Love and Peace' balloon. Click here to view photos of the balloon. His Holiness will be in Melbourne on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th December. Over the course of his 2009 visit to Australia, His Holiness will present, demonstrate and discuss the very nature of being and how responsibility for our future lies with each and every one of us. For more information or to buy tickets for his public teachings please visit http://www.dalailamainaustralia.org
Have you done your Christmas shopping?
Give a special loved one, deserving staff member or a loyal customer the gift of experiences this Christmas with a Global Ballooning gift voucher. Giving an experience as a gift reduces clutter and it is an experience most people don't normally splurge on for themselves. Make it happen for someone special this Christmas by purchasing a voucher over Melbourne or Yarra Valley. Book Online and receive a 10% discount PLUS a complimentary gift per booking on the day of the flight!
Global Ballooning on Facebook and Twitter!
Global Ballooning has entered the world of Facebook and Twitter. These social media sites have helped us share our stories, beautiful images from our daily flights over Melbourne and Yarra Valley and promote specials from our friends in the Victorian tourism industry.
Click on the links below to follow us on Twitter or become a fan of the http://www.facebook.com/www.globalballooning.com.au.
