Staff
Jenny Pallant
Administration and Fundraising Manager
Since joining the Dolphin Research Institute in 2011, Jenny has become an invaluable member of the team. She is now our Event Coordinator and Fundraising Manager...
The Dolphin Research Institute
The Dolphin Research Institute is based at Hastings, on the shores of Western Port in Victoria, Australia (map). DRI's research is focused primarily in the south-eastern region of Victoria, especially Port Phillip, Western Port and the Gippsland Lakes.
The Institute has over 25 years of dolphin research - we know our resident dolphins through fin identification and regular surveys; our data-base is extensive and ever-expanding! We also know that our supporters feel proud of our work. It is a tangible way for them to be able to say "Yes, I'm helping these dolphins now, and for their future."
DRI began in the late 1980's by people who were concerned about local dolphins and their marine environment. The Institute has grown in to the well-managed, sustainable, not-for-profit conservation organisation that is the 'go-to' for just about all-things dolphin related in Victoria. The Dolphin Research Institute has been caring for our bays since 1991 - we are proud that we are now also pioneering the federally-funded National Dolphin Health Project.
We work in three areas: Research - for Conservation; Education - for the next generation and Environmental Leadership - for the community.
DRI is a registered charity and is self-funded from the community, foundations, the corporate sector and government grants. Our original concerns and passions about dolphins remain. We now spread our work further through community involvement with citizen science projects and education programs, including our award-winning 'i sea, i care' Ambassador program in primary schools. We know that all 'drains lead to the sea' - catchment management, pollution control and public education are as important as picking up litter on the beach for the health of our waterways and ultimately, dolphins.
The Institute has received many awards including the prestigious Banksia Environment Foundation national award in the "Marine & Coastal Water" category in 1997, the "Victorian Coastal Awards of Excellence" Species Protection category in 2002 and the "Community Partnerships" category in 2013.
DRI Team
Why we do what we do ......
Staff
Staff
Mandy Robertson
Education Director
BSc (Hons) Microbiology ; PGCE (Science/Biology)
Originally from the UK, Mandy spent several years in medical research before becoming a secondary school teacher. She ...
Staff
David Donnelly
Research Officer.
David Donnelly is a marine researcher with extensive experience in a range of scientific disciplines. His field experience ranges from fine scale monitoring of the intertidal zone to...
Honorary Associate
Bruce Weir
Intern & Volunteer Coordinator.
Education
BSc (Applied Biology) 1980, RMIT University
Background
Bruce has coordinated and managed education programs in the School of Biological Sciences at Mona...
Board
Jeff Weir OAM
Executive Director
BSc; MSc; Dip.Ed; MFIA
Jeff’s diverse background in Marine Biology, Education and Business have prepared him well for his current role as the Institute’s Executive Director.
He has...
Board
Paul Curtin
Chairman, Non-executive Director
B.Bus.;Grad.Dip Applied Finance and Investments; Chartered Accountant.
Paul is the Chief Financial Officer & General Manager Technology and Strategy, Telstra Super...
Board
Cate Edwards
Non-Executive Director
Cate Edwards has spent much of her working life supporting and providing advice to not-for-profit organisations. She has recently completed her Masters in Management and is curr...
Board
Shane Murphy
Non-Executive Director. B.Bus.Studies; Grad. Dip. Co. secretarial practice; CPA; AGIA.
Shane is a retired Finance Director and Company Secretary. In addition, he has over 40 years' commercial experie...
Board
Birte Moliere
Non-executive Director. Masters Sustainable Destination Management | Bachelor of Technology / Ecotourism (First Class Honours)
Birte grew up in Germany and has spent many years working with nature-bas...
Board
Tony Martin
Non-Executive Director
Bachelor of Business (Accounting); Bachelor of Arts (Psychology); FCA
Tony is a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young and is an Advisory Markets Leader for Oceania.
Tony has exten...
Legal Structure
The Dolphin Research Institute is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and registered with the Australian Charities and Not for profit Commission as a "medium charity". The Institute's constitution prevents it from paying dividends to members. ABN – 73 097 317 112
The Dolphin Research Institute Ltd Environment Fund is listed on the Register of Environmental Organisations under item 6.1.1 if subsection 30.55(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
The Institute's Annual Reports, audited accounts and constitution are available for download from our Annual Reports page.
