



Title: Director of Education Studied: Bachelor of Marine Science, Griffith University & Dip.Ed., USC
“I’ve always been incredibly passionate about the marine environment. I love my job, working with children and adults to educate and inspire them to love the ocean and to want to protect it”.
Richard has extensive experience managing exhibits in local and overseas aquariums, working with sharks, seals, penguins, turtles, sea jellies, fish, octopus and invertebrates to name a few. He has been involved in research projects such as buoyancy syndrome turtle research, shark research and breeding programs.
Memorable Ocean Experience: Assisting with a whale rescue in Coolum back in 1996 after the calf had become stuck on a sand bank.
Favourite Ocean Creature: Well, that’s tricky as there are so many diverse and amazing creatures out there…but if I had to pick, I guess it would be the dolphin or octopus. Dolphin, because of their intelligence and playful nature. Octopus, also because of their intelligence and also their amazing ability to camouflage against any habitat.

Title: Business Manager Studied: Masters in Business Administration
“I’m proud to be playing a part in nurturing young environmental leaders of tomorrow. I’ve watched my kids grow up sharing our love for animals and the natural environment. It’s so important for children to get the opportunity to experience these things first-hand”.
Memorable Ocean Experience: “I love getting in the ocean and checking out the marine life. I recently went snorkelling with humpback whales and manta rays at Lady Elliot Island with my three (grown up!) kids, which was an incredible thing to do together”.
Favourite Ocean Creature: Humpback whales and manta rays. I’ve been lucky enought to get close to both in their natural habitat. They seem curious and intelligent.
Title: Marine Education Officer Studied: Bachelor of Psychology, UQ
“I’m a real water baby and love swimming and surfing in the waves with friends. I love the ocean because it’s so much fun and so different to land. It really inspires me when I see children get excited about meeting our marine animals, particularly the turtles. Their eyes open wide and they are so curious and ask some great questions”.
Memorable Ocean Experience: I have many but probably snorkelling in Fiji. The water is calm and clear and the coral is beautiful.
Favorite Ocean Creature: It’s got to be the dolphin. They have so much personality and are cheeky, curious and intelligent and beautiful swimmers.
A word on conservation – “A little goes a long way, so please pick up rubbish”.
Title: Marine Education Officer Studying: Bachelor of Science Majoring in Marine Biology, UQ
“Exposing kids to and teaching them about the ocean can be very powerful. My first exposure to Ocean Life Education was as a 5 year old at Cannon Hill Kmart Plaza, and I was absolutely fascinated by the Epaulette shark. I still love sharks and now I’m studying marine biology, I’m about to become a SCUBA instructor and I’m working for Ocean Life Education as a marine educator”.
Most Memorable Ocean Experience:Hm it’s hard to choose between diving with an 8m whale shark in the Maldives, being surrounded by 30+ grey nurse sharks each year at Straddie (Stardbroke Island), or having a humpback whale appear underneath me while guiding a dive!
Favourite Ocean Creature: SHARKS! I love all types of sharks! I’ve been lucky enough to have dived with around 15 different species of sharks including bull sharks, whalers and even a great white! In year 10 at high school I spent a semester undertaking a passion project focussing on SCUBA divers behaviours and motivations for diving with grey nurse sharks (I even convinced our principal that diving with sharks was an academic subject). I got to present at the Australian Marine Science Association Conference in Cairns 2022.
Title: Marine Education Officer Studies: Bachelor of Environmental Science, UQ & Cert. in Animal Care, TAFE QLD
“I believe education is a critical part of conserving our natural world. People want to protect the things they care about. That’s why, as a marine educator, it is incredibly rewarding to contribute to that very mission. I love seeing students light up and become fascinated by the abundance of marine life that lies within the oceans.”
Most Memorable Ocean Experience:Getting the privilege to witness a live sea turtle hatching. Seeing hundreds of baby sea turtles emerge from their nest, knowing exactly what to do as they use all of their strength and speed to overcome obstacles and make their way to the ocean. It was incredible, and all you can do is root for the little guys as they swim off into the vast ocean.
Favourite Ocean Creature: Hammerhead sharks have always fascinated me. They’re instantly recognisable and look drastically different from all other sharks – a remarkable display of shark evolution.

Title: Marine Education Officer Studies: Bachelor of Marine Biology and Zoology, Master of Environmental Protection
“The ocean has always been my sanctuary. Growing up far from Australia, I discovered early on how the ocean felt like a constant friend, no matter where I was. While mountains, cities, and landscapes vary, the ocean’s timeless beauty and calming presence remain the same. This connection to the sea inspired me to study marine biology in Australia. In this place, I could immerse myself in all those marine creatures and connect with people from diverse backgrounds who share this same passion.”
Today, as a marine and environmental educator, I’m privileged to inspire others to appreciate and protect our oceans. Every day, I am grateful to be on a path that combines my passion for marine biology with the opportunity to make a positive impact. My mission is to share my love for the ocean with the next generation, inspiring them to dive deeper, ask questions, and take an active role in protecting the incredible marine world we all share. It is incredible to watch students experience the ocean’s wonders for the first time and see their eyes light up with curiosity. Sharing knowledge and fostering this connection is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. I truly believe that if we can inspire young people to care about the ocean, they’ll grow into advocates who protect it for future generations.
Memorable Ocean Experience: One of my favourite memories is diving in Puerto Galera in the Philippines. It was my first time diving (and I hadn’t even snorkelled before!), so I was nervous on the boat. But the moment I went underwater, everything felt calm. I was surrounded by schools of fish moving together around the coral, almost like they were dancing. Then my instructor pointed out a sea turtle resting below, which completely took my breath away. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish, reminding me of the hidden beauty of the ocean.
Favorite Ocean Creature: Of all the ocean’s creatures, sharks have always been my favourite. My fascination started when I was a kid. My parents took me to the Ocean Park in Hong Kong, where they have a shark tunnel. Watching a shark glide right above me, I was in total awe. They’re ancient, powerful, and fascinating. Sharks play such an important role in the ecosystem, and the more I learn about them, the more passionate I am about protecting them and sharing why they matter so much.

Title: Marine Education Officer Studies: Bachelor of Science – majoring in marine biology and coastal and ocean science at UQ
“I loveeeee the ocean because it’s endlessly fascinating, there’s still so much we don’t know about it. Being able to share that curiosity and excitement with kids is incredibly meaningful, and I feel so lucky to do so. Teaching children about the ocean at a young age can make a huge impact by inspiring curiosity and a lasting desire to protect the ocean and the amazing creatures that live in it.”
Most Memorable Ocean Experience: Getting to do my first ever dive on Lady Musgrave island was just magical, seeing all the amazing coral and animals that thrive there was amazing.
Favourite Ocean Creature: Nudibranchs. They are just so little and so colourful, I love trying to find them whenever I go diving, its like a little treasure hunt! They are so unique and some have a really interesting way of defending themselves by stealing nematocysts (microscopic harpoons used for stinging) from their prey.
Title: Marine Education Officer Studies: Bachelor of Science Majoring in Marine Biology at the university of Queensland 
“I have grown up loving the ocean and the beach, it is my favourite place in the world whether it’s diving, off the back of a boat, or swimming at the beach, every spare moment I have I am either in the ocean or thinking about the ocean. I am blessed to have grown up on the Sunshine Coast with the most stunning beaches being part of my everyday routine.”
Memorable Ocean Experience: One of my most memorable ocean experiences was a high school trip to Lady Elliot Island. By that stage, I already knew I wanted to work on or in the ocean, but snorkelling and diving in one of the world’s most spectacular reef systems further cemented that passion.
Favorite Ocean Creature: My favourite ocean animal is coral. Corals have one of the most fascinating symbiotic relationships in nature and are responsible for building reef ecosystems that support millions of marine species. Their ecological importance and resilience inspire my ongoing interest in marine conservation and education.
Title: Marine Education Officer Studies: 
“I’ve always loved the ocean and will take any chance to get in it! I enjoy surfing, diving, freediving, wakeboarding, kayaking, boating – anything that gets me in the water. My love for the ocean grew during my childhood, exploring the Adriatic Sea and snorkelling around rocky reefs in search of new ocean creatures. I was always fascinated by everything I discovered. For me, the ocean is about adventure, exploration, and peace.”
Memorable Ocean Experience: My favourite ocean experience happened here in Australia. My partner and I were diving on a reef, and as we swam past a sand bed, a dugong came swimming towards us. It had such a majestic presence that it stunned us both. We hovered there, holding hands and looking in awe, as it approached and swam up close. It stayed for a while before gracefully swimming away. Seeing a dugong had been a dream ever since I first learned about them, so I couldn’t believe it was actually happening, knowing how rare they are to see! Just before our dive, we had met a local who told us they had been diving this spot for 20 years and had never encountered the resident dugong, so we felt incredibly lucky.
Favorite Ocean Creature: I really love dugongs – I think they are such beautiful and cute animals! The more I learn about them, the more fascinated I become. Dugongs are gentle herbivores, often called “Sea Cows” because of their grazing habits, and they are completely dependent on seagrass for survival. What makes them truly special is how they contribute to the health and resilience of seagrass meadows. By grazing and dispersing seagrass seeds, dugongs act as underwater gardeners, stimulating regrowth and maintaining the ecosystem. They may not be flashy predators or acrobatic mammals, but they are deeply connected to the health of coastal environments.Seagrass meadows themselves are crucial to marine life – they act as carbon sinks, prevent coastal erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitats for countless marine species. Protecting dugongs means protecting these vital ecosystems, and that makes them all the more incredible.
Title: Marketing & Resources Manager Studied: Bachelor Business Studies & Diploma in Marketing, UK 
“I love the ocean. It’s such an amazing place full of fascinating habitats and life and I’m proud to play a part in trying to protect it for future generations to enjoy”.
Memorable Ocean Experience: I’ve dived in some amazing places, but I think my most memorable dive was my first ever qualified dive. The minute we were at the ocean floor, a three-metre hammerhead shark swam by! I grabbed the dive master by the arm and wouldn’t let go. It was a totally amazing experience! I love sharks and wish the media would appreciate how important they are and stop giving them such a bad press!”.
Favourite Ocean Creature: “This is tricky…it’s a toss-up between the octopus and the humpback whale. Octopus, because they are so clever and versatile and humpback whales because they are so acrobatic and are part of our lives for half the year here on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland”.
Title: Business Development Studied: Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Monash University & Advanced Diploma of Community Services Management 
“I have spent many years working in early childhood education where I have been passionate about teaching children to respect the environment and all living creatures. Children are naturally curious about sea life and I love being a part of Ocean Life Education to support this learning in children of all ages”
Memorable Ocean Experience: One of my most cherished memories is the time I spent on the Gippsland Peninsula during my youth. It was during those moments that I had the privilege of immersing myself in the wonders of the ocean. Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef also stands out as a memorable experience for me where I was mesmerised by the vibrant colours of the fish, the intricate coral formations, and the diverse marine life that surrounded me.
Favorite Ocean Creature: While my encounters with whales and dolphins have left a lasting impression on me due to their social nature and the care they show for others in their pods, I am equally fascinated by sea jellies. In my earlier years, I encountered numerous sea jellies. Though they may not possess the same social characteristics as whales and dolphins, their presence in the ocean system is crucial – serving as a reminder of the diversity and complexity of marine life and the need to protect these delicate creatures.