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2025 Island Whale Festival

The Dolphin Research Institute’s team will be based at the Woolamai Life Saving Club and at the Festival Hub in Cowes for the 2025 Island Whale festival.

This year we are hosting two fun and educational activities out of the Woolamai Life Saving Club:

Spot-A-Whale & Whale Tales:

Hear about the whales of Victoria and how to spot them from local researchers in our 50-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute guided whale-spotting experience, kids’ activities featuring real whale bones, sounds, and games, and an opportunity to talk all things marine with our team.

  • 2hr sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (see booking link below for times)
  • Located at the Woolamai Life Saving Club
  • $15.00 per adult, $10.00 per child under 15 years of age
  • Bookings required (Link below)

Careers in Marine Science:

Join our panel of experts with decades of experience both within Australia and overseas for a discussion on how, when and where opportunities exist for a career in marine science. Not academically minded? No problem, we have solutions for you too!

  • Session on Sunday 13/7 from 9:30am – 10:30am
  • Located at the Woolamai Life Saving Club
  • Free of cost
  • Bookings recommended (Link below)
  • See below for our panel of experts and their backgrounds
Book Spot A Whale & Whale TalesBook Careers in Marine ScienceVisit the Island Whale Festival Site

 

Panel of experts for Careers in Marine Science:

David Donnelly: Despite not having a science degree, David has enjoyed a very successful career in marine science. He has amassed a wealth of experience in marine mammal research conducting fieldwork in Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic and the South Pacific working for universities, NGOs, the military and Federal governments. He is experienced in using a diverse range of research methods such as visual and acoustic surveys, close-approach vessel work and whale tagging.

Ella Hutchinson: With a passion for all things marine, Ella is the Dolphin Research Institute’s Williamson Research Fellow. After her chemistry and zoology degree, Ella has dedicated her time to field, lab, and desk-based research on marine mammals and algae. Beyond her work at the Institute, Ella serves as a marine fauna observer assisting with aerial surveys for marine mammals across Bass Strait.

Ellie Collins: Ellie has a passion for connecting people to our local marine environment and is the Education Manager at Dolphin Research Institute. Following her zoology and ecology and conservation biology degree, Ellie has worked in and out of the water as a snorkel guide and environmental educator leading citizen science programs like the Great Victorian Fish Count. She now runs the award-winning environmental leadership program ‘i sea, i care’.

Jeff Weir: Jeff has an extensive background in Marine Biology, Education, and Business and is the Executive Director of the Dolphin Research Institute. He has presented many papers and keynote addresses at scientific and education conferences and has held various leadership roles in organisations like Victoria’s Central Coastal Board, Western Port Biosphere and the Marine Education Society of Australasia.