Meet the Team
Meet our talented and quirky work family. They are the best in the business (not-biased obviously), one-of-a-kind, and we wouldn’t trade them for the world!
Loretta Bexon
CUSTOMER SERVICE / JEWELLER
If you’ve called, emailed or been in store, there is a very good chance you’ve met Loretta. Loretta is essential to our operations, working the front of shop/office and everything in between. As a qualified jeweller, Loretta liaises between customers and the jewellery workshop and heads up quality control (ie. keeps the other jewellers in line). In her life outside of work, Loretta is a reformer pilates addict and loves going on adventures to K’gari/Fraser Island with her partner Caius.
FUN FACT
Loretta and Caius met at TAFE during their jewellery apprenticeship and are now engaged! Pro tip: ask to see Loretta’s spectacular engagement ring.
Brette Pope
CUSTOMER SERVICE
While she is a long-standing local of Hervey Bay, Brette is one of the newest members of the WTD team and has settled in effortlessly. Her easygoing manner and positive attitude make her a joy to work alongside, and she’s right at home serving front of house and greeting customers with a big smile. A lover of all things Australian opal, Brette likes to go fossicking in her spare time and can often be found at the local Gem Club, carefully cutting the opal treasures she’s been fortunate enough to discover herself.
FUN FACT
Brette's favourite opal fossicking areas are Lightning Ridge and Grawin. Ask her anything about opals, and she's up for a chat!
Rachael Nidiffer
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Rachael fills many roles here at WTD - from customer service and operations to photography, social media and web content. During whale season, she also works part-time on the whale-watching boat Tasman Venture, as one of their talented naturalists. With a degree in Marine Biology, Rachael is a lover of all things whales and ocean. Jewellery, of course, comes in as a close second, making her a perfect fit for Team WTD.
FUN FACT
Rachael and Allison grew up in the same town in the US and coincidentally met here in Hervey Bay! Proving that it’s a small world after all AND all the best people come from Charlottesville, VA!
Caius Chapple
JEWELLER / SETTER
Caius started as one of Nick’s first apprentices and is now our longest-standing jeweller (aside from Nick), serving as our specialty fabricator/head diamond setter. If it’s technical, if it’s tricky, if it’s nearly impossible – Caius probably made it. As already mentioned, Caius is Loretta’s partner, making this whole family business thing a serious affair. Off the bench, Cauis enjoys boating, fishing and generally running amuck on the largest sand island in the world.
FUN FACT
Caius used to play hockey with Nick, which accidentally launched his career as a jeweller.
Matt Cartwright
JEWELLER
Matt or “Carty” (also answers to Old Mate), is our main production jeweller. He is our ocean jewellery extraordinaire and can resize your ring in a wink. Carty keeps the workshop humming along and will gladly take on any job without a complaint. He’s quick with a laugh and his upbeat, good nature keeps us all in good spirits. Off the bench, Carty enjoys spending time with his family and running after his two young kids. He’s a master on the barbeque and has been known to enjoy a beverage now and then. 😉
FUN FACT
Carty was Caius’ first apprentice! There’s a theme here people…
John Bexon
JEWELLER
Bexon… sound familiar? John is Loretta’s Dad. Yeah, blood runs thick in this little family business of ours. John trained Loretta and when we were struggling to keep up with demand, we had to call in the big guns. John moved from the Sunny Coast up to paradise, aka Hervey Bay 😉 and is now an integral part of our team. He is quick with a story and keeps the mood lighthearted. John loves a good audiobook and keeps himself busy running after his 3 grandkids.
FUN FACT
John is originally from the UK and has been a jeweller for over 50 years! Yes, he wins 🙂
Tione Steinhardt
JEWELLER
Having recently finished her four-year jewellery apprenticeship, Tione is officially a qualified jeweller and an essential part of the workshop. Enthusiastic and passionate about everything we do here at World Treasure Designs, she learns fast and keeps the boys on their best behaviour (or at least tries to). Outside of work, Tione enjoys camping, 4WD adventures, and exploring our beautiful mother nature.
FUN FACT
Tione and her partner Jack recently bought their first home! Guess she’s stuck with us forever now 😉
Nick Thorp
JEWELLER / DESIGNER / OWNER
A lifelong diver and ocean lover, Nick started designing a few silver whale tails as a way to combine his skills as a jeweller with his passion for ocean life. This little collection has grown into what World Treasure Designs is today! Nick is our head jewellery designer, and most of the designs you see here are his creations. In his spare time, Nick loves diving, boating, travelling and spending time with his family.
FUN FACT
As a divemaster, Nick has logged over 1,200 dives! All this time underwater means he is very particular about his ocean designs and likes to get every detail perfect.
Allison Thorp
MARKETING / OPERATIONS / OWNER
Before meeting Nick, Allison knew very little about jewellery. Thankfully, she knows a lot more about websites, marketing and photography, and heads up this department, along with being our Excel expert extraordinaire. Originally from the USA, Allison fell in love with the ocean, beaches, and climate of Australia. Oh, and a certain Aussie as well. 😉 She also enjoys diving, ocean adventures, and incredibly long plane trips home to see family and friends.
FUN FACT
When Allison first travelled to Australia, her mother warned her not to fall in love with an Aussie, get married and move there. Oops!
Henry Thorp
JR. APPRENTICE
Now that he’s a big 4-year-old, Henry is becoming an integral member of the team. Current responsibilities include: chief cookie eater, babycino drinker and chatterbox extraordinaire. His bench skills could use some work, but you can’t fault his energy and enthusiasm for life. No doubt Dad will have him soldering by the time he starts prep.
FUN FACT
Thanks to a trip to the Australia Zoo and the crocoseum, this little wildlife warrior wants to be a “crocodile feeder” when he grows up!
Roy Thorp
JR. JR. APPRENTICE
At 1.5 years, Roy is the youngest member of the team. He’s great at making a mess, opening and closing cupboard doors and stealing everyone’s keys. He certainly takes the team cuteness factor up a few notches though. 🙂 We expect big things from this little guy in years to come. Check back in 2040 for a progress update.
FUN FACT
Roy has two passports and is a seasoned international traveller! He is learning to speak both English and Australian. 😉