A WORKER at Las Ramblas wine and tapas has won a first-class trip to Australia.

Georgia Lea won the ‘First Class To Paradise’ competition which allows for working holidaymakers to travel to Australia and be matched with a partner employer in the Cairns and surrounding region.

When Georgia - a former Warrington Collegiate student - was told of her win on Zoom she was ecstatic.

Oh my god, that’s amazing,” said Georgia.

“What a dream. I’m shaking. That has made my day. That’s the best news I’ve ever had in my life.”

She plans to explore the major tourist attractions of the region including the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and Cairns.

Georgia, who studied hospitality and catering at Collegiate, added: “This still hasn’t really sunk in yet. It probably won’t really hit me until I’m actually on the flight out to Australia.

“When I was told I’d won on the Zoom call, I was totally caught by surprise. My hair was all over the place and I wasn’t prepared for anything but I don’t really care. I was so excited and afterwards, I was literally crying for 10 minutes.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the wildlife and it was a friend who convinced me to just do it and book a working holiday trip.

“From what I can see there is so much I can do in the tropical north, and my plan is to do as much of it as possible. Ideally, at some stage, I’d like to get some work on a Barrier Reef island which would be fantastic. That’s something I can’t do in the UK."

Georgia will be looking to add to her resume in Tropical North Queensland for four to six months or even longer.

Warrington Guardian:

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said he is looking forward to welcoming Georgia and other working holiday makers to Tropical North Queensland.

“Our international holiday destination is booming with Australian visitors and we are slowly welcoming back guests from overseas, but we urgently need working holiday makers to assist with the demand,” he said.

“Young travellers were an integral part of our workforce before the pandemic when they were enjoying being dive masters on the Great Barrier Reef and bartenders in eco-lodges tucked away in the world’s oldest rainforest.

“We have had great engagement with this campaign which has really helped to put Tropical North Queensland on the map as a working holiday maker destination once again.”