The Team - First National Holidays

To discuss the management of your holiday property and what First National Holidays can achieve for you, we would love to hear from you. Call or email our Holiday Team today.

Jean King

Holiday Property Manager

The engine room of our business, Jean has been an integral part of the team since joining in 2022 and has been a very safe pair of hands for our holiday owners ever since.
Smart, organised and hardworking, Jean is always thinking outside the box with new ideas. A warm, engaging and honest communicator who quickly establishes rapport and trust with people; exactly the sort of manager you want when entrusting the control of your holiday property. Jean’s ultimate goal is to ensure all of our holiday guests have the best possible experience during their stay.
When Jean is not working she enjoys walking her dog on Pippi beach and spending time with family and friends in our beautiful part of the world.

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Melinda Gillespie

Holiday Property Manager Iluka

Mel Gillespie is the local expert behind First National Iluka’s holiday accommodation magic. Born and bred right here in Iluka, (and known as Minnie to the locals) Mel took a brief detour to Brisbane and seven years ago, she returned to her hometown with her husband and two lively boys in tow, ready to raise a family and reclaim her coastal postcode.

By day, Mel is a powerhouse holiday property manager—juggling bookings and guest queries with the precision of a seasoned professional (and maybe a touch of mum superpower). She’s got a real passion for all things real estate… and an equally strong passion for binging the latest Netflix series. So yes, she’ll organise your holiday booking like a pro—and she will predict the plot twist before the opening credits finish. Mel’s the go-to for anything holiday-stay related—whether you’re listing your property or just wondering which drawer the corkscrew goes in. Friendly, sharp, and always up for a chat, she keeps things running smoothly so guests can relax—and owners can rest easy. With local knowledge, real estate savvy, and a whole lot of personality, Mel’s not just managing properties—she’s making holidays happen

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Rebecca Garner

Reception/Property assistant

After making the great seachange to Yamba in 2022 with her young family, Bec decided one housing-related career just wasn’t enough. With a background in new home construction and business admin, she thought, “Why not throw real estate into the mix?” Now she’s diving headfirst into the industry, currently working towards her real estate licence while expertly juggling Holiday Management, Permanent Rentals, and the mysterious art of storage shed wizardry.

By day, she’s your go-to for rental know-how and housing help. By night (or more accurately, after school pickup), she’s cheering on her kids at sports, getting sand between her toes at the beach, or curled up outside with a good book pretending the laundry doesn’t exist.

Whether you’re looking for a holiday rental, a permanent place, or someone who understands the real value of extra storage—Bec’s your girl.

Email Bec

Louise Dendle

Media & Marketing Manager

Our newest team member, Louise, has very quickly become invaluable to our business with a level of passion and pride in her work that knows no bounds. Louise has certainly added an extra dimension to our marketing and presentation with video skills and an eye for detail that are second to none. Determined, hardworking and very thoughtful we are very lucky to have her.

When not at First National Louise loves the great outdoors and all things animals. Owning and caring for a multitude of horses and cattle with her husband in Palmers Channel