Will you stand behind my mission?
Takes a Community to Back:
Although I volunteer a lot of my time to the Hervey Bay coral reefs, it’s because I truly am so passionate about them. I don’t get paid for what I do, because if your waiting to be paid nothing will change. I’m continuously thinking of ideas to connect the community and help people appreciate what we have right on our doorstep. I want to make science and the natural world easier to understand for everyone.
Sometimes I do feel a weight on my shoulders because I care so deeply for our marine life. Over the years, many scientists have studied the reefs in Hervey Bay, but when they move away, it’s like the momentum is lost and the reefs are forgotten once again. This time, I want things to be different. I don’t want this beautiful ocean wonderland to be forgotten or the scientists that contribute to the research over the years. I’m hoping the community will stand behind this mission and get involved in protecting such a rare asset. We need to do this together — as a collective — by standing up for nature and staying curious.
Your voice is powerful. Just by talking to a friend, a colleague, or a family member about our reefs can make a real difference. It can inspire others to care and to help protect these beautiful ecosystems. I’ve come to realise that we can’t leave everything up to government or policymakers — it really comes down to us. We are the true guardians of our land and sea, and it’s our responsibility to look after it.
Study Opportunities:
My biggest goal is to see the Hervey Bay reef systems introduced into universities all around Australia. It would be amazing to have the local university UniSC offering a marine studies degree right here in our marine mecca. This could encourage students to stay in the region, while also attracting others to come and study what we have. Every scientist who studies our reefs with fresh eyes and knowledge helps inform policymakers, guide development, and keep councils accountable. Without scientists — or people who care and take action — we risk losing our oceans and reefs altogether.
I know many young people who want the opportunity to study right here on the Fraser Coast, but unfortunately the only degree currently available is Animal Ecology. As the Fraser Coast Regional Council is now officially a Reef Guardian Council, there’s a real opportunity to expand into marine studies. The new Milbi Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is now open, and it will also help attract students from far and wide to the region. It’s another incredible opportunity to support education, research, and hands-on learning right here on the Fraser Coast.
Students who want to study marine science should be able to do so here, and contribute to something greater in our own marine mecca. There are so many understudied areas within the Great Sandy Marine Park that hold huge potential — not only to identify unknown species, but to better understand animal behaviour and protect vital feeding habitats.
Citizen Science:
The world of science is continually changing, and I think that’s a great thing. Not everyone is science-minded, or has the time to study and go to university, even if they are passionate about a subject. That’s why I believe so strongly in citizen science — because anyone can get involved. The science community is realising there simply aren’t enough scientists out there to collect all the data needed. But there are so many marine and wildlife enthusiasts who can help. Scientists can’t be everywhere at once, and by contributing, you are helping them better understand our local reef systems.
In a few weeks I will becoming a Citizen's of the reef Ambassador as well as keeping my role as a CoralWatch ambassador. Citizens of the Reef is a community-driven movement that connects people with our local reef systems and empowers them to help protect them. It brings everyday people into citizen science as well as CoralWatch. Citizens of the Reef use GoPros to capture real footage of our local reef systems — everything from coral health to the marine life that calls it home. These videos give a clear, visual record of what’s happening underwater, especially in places scientists can’t always reach.
That footage is then reviewed and turned into useful data. People can help by watching the videos, identifying species, noting changes, and logging what they see. This turns simple observations into valuable information that scientists can use to track reef health, spot changes over time, and better understand our ecosystems.
Anyone can get involved. You don’t need to be a scientist — just curious and willing to learn. By helping analyse this footage, you’re directly contributing to real research and playing a part in protecting our reefs.
The exciting thing is that this can also be used down the track to analyse our Hervey Bay coral reef systems — not just the Great Barrier Reef although Hervey Bay is part of the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. It means our local reefs can be continuously monitored and better understood in water and on land, with both scientists and citizen scientists working together to keep them protected and looked after.
Tourisum in Hervey Bay:
My next goal is to work with tourism operators to start utilising our reef systems. Karma Dives is already doing guided tours, which is a great start. I’m also currently working on a full snorkel guide that locals and tourists can use to explore and truly appreciate what Hervey Bay has to offer.
Hervey Bay and its natural beauty deserve more recognition. Yes, K'gari and Lady Elliot Island are beautiful, and they’re always highlighted — but what about Hervey Bay itself?
If people aren’t proud of Hervey Bay, and only focus on places like K’gari and Lady Elliot, it creates the mindset that those are the only must-visit destinations in the region. But if we start showcasing the beauty of Hervey Bay as a whole — not just the same photos of the pier or the marina, but everything that makes this place special — people will start to see it differently.
Hervey Bay is more than just a stop on the way to somewhere else. When we come together and share its full story, people will come to visit and experience this incredible place for what it truly is.
Comments