Born in Australia in 1954, John Cross moved to Cairns and established a charter operation with his brother.  He is credited with pioneering the popper fishery for giant trevally on the Great Barrier Reef.  Cross relocated to Papua New Guinea in 1991 and began exploring its inshore and offshore waters.  He later served as the President of the Game Fishing Association of Papua New Guinea from 1996-1998, where he brought the club into the modern age.