Diving
Sheree Marris
If Sheree had her choice, she would have gills instead of lungs, a breath hold
to rival the sperm whale and a sparkly green mermaid-esque tail.
Since she doesn’t, she does the next best thing and spends as much time as
she can scuba diving and blowing bubbles. When she’s a land lover you can
find Sheree working on a range of innovative projects that aim to engage,
entertain and educate people about the environment.
Sheree Marris is one of Australia’s most passionate and dynamic environmental ambassadors. Through
radio talk-back, television appearances, hosting documentaries and featuring in commercials, Sheree has
gained a reputation and profile among the Australian community, national corporate organisations and all
levels of government as an expert in her field. Her happy place is developing innovative environmental
projects and bridging the gap between science and the public.
In 2002 Sheree’s profile was heightened when she picked up three Young Australian of the Year awards:
the National Unilever Environment Award, Young Australian of the Year (Victoria) and Victorian Unilever
Environment Award. In 2009 she completed a scholarship with the Centre for Sustainable Leadership.
An award winning author, Sheree has just finished her fifth book, Melbourne Down Under a stunning
photographic book that reveals Melbourne’s best kept secret – a marine environment more diverse and
colourful than any tropical reef. Preceding this was the highly successful KamaSEAtra - Secrets of Sex in the
Sea, a humorous read about the unique reproductive methods of sea creatures and the parallels they share
with humans.
Current projects
World, The Nature of Science (TNOS) - A series of YouTube videos communicating scientific research in a
fun and engaging format, using world-class cinematography including time-lapse and high-speed footage
of animals fighting, feeding and fornicating. Think of a hybrid between Smarter Every Day, ZeFrank and a
splash of David Attenborough on acid and you’ll get the picture. This channel is going to be a permanent
feature on the Huffington Post website which will be launched next month.
World, The Great Barrier Reef Experience – An international travelling exhibition that will immerse visitors
in the colour and diversity of the Great Barrier Reef. Visitors will be taken on an incredible journey of
discovery using Emmy award-winning cinematography that reveals various habitats of the reef and how tiny
animals have created the only living structure that can be seen from space. A strong component of the
exhibition is engaging and educating visitors on the valuable role they can play in helping to protect one of
the worlds greatest natural wonders.
Victoria, Underwater Living Galleries – Creation of a series of Australia’s first underwater sculpture
installations for the tourism industry and private sector. These installations will become ‘living pieces of
artwork’ that fuse art, environment and sport, while creating new tourism assets. The installations will attract
marine life to the area, build a greater awareness of the marine values of the southern shores and create a
marine stewardship ethic in the community.
Australia, Melbourne Down Under –Revealing Melbourne’s best kept secret, a marine environment with colour and diversity that rivals tropical reefs, showcased to an audience of millions across several high profile media platforms. Using world-class underwater imagery the campaign features a flagship book, documentary DVD and travelling outdoor exhibition.
Past projects:
Vanuatu, Yumi Tugeta - An innovative marine conservation project and DVD
with the youth of Pele Island. People under 25 are posing the highest threat to the valuable reef
ecosystems of pacific communities. With this film the youth demonstrated to their brothers and sisters
around the Pacific how they could secure their futures, adapt to climate change, develop their villages and
sustainably manage the coral reef ecosystems.
World, Ocean Predators Exhibition – A world travelling exhibition on ocean predator. Think scorpions,
ghosts, lions, goblins, dragons, lizards… but not the type you imagine and it’s more than sharks and sharp
teeth. In the ocean there are expandable mouths, arms with hooks, beaks that bite and animals that not
only steal the life but the weapons from the food they eat. From a microscopic animal that feasts on prey its
same size through to the largest animal that has ever lived that devours millions of its prey in one
sitting... all this with no teeth!
Philippines, The Saving Philippine Reefs Project –A yearly reef monitoring expedition that aims to
improve the quality and quantity of information available on coral reefs for use in improving management
and creation of appropriate policies for protection and sustainable use of coastal resources for the Unico
Conservation Foundation in partnership Centre for Coastal Conservation Education Foundation (CCEF).
Rye, Octopuses Garden Marine Trail – Victoria’s first underwater marine trail located at Rye Pier on the
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Visitors put on a mask and snorkel or a pair of swimming goggles to
discover the wonders of the marine life in the bay. Underwater signs mounted to the pylons highlight
marine life in the area. This has led to the development of other marine trails including at Rottnest Island.
Awards:
2003 Centenary Medal – Outstanding contribution to conservation and the environment
2003 Australia Day Ambassador
2002 Committee of Melbourne Achiever Award
2002 Young Australian of the Year - National Unilever Environment Award
2002 Young Australian of the Year - Victoria
2002 Young Australian of the Year - Victorian Unilever Environment Award
1999 Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature
Dean Miller (Ph.D.)
Dr Dean Miller is a scientist, multi-media professional, BBC television presenter and an Australian Geographic sponsored explorer. With a PhD in coral reef management, tourism and resource allocation and a wealth of scientific experience in the field from Antarctica to the Arctic and everywhere in between, Dean’s scientific research career has been rich and diverse. Having been involved in over 300 ocean expeditions on ships all over the globe, much of Dean’s life has been at sea in some of the most challenging environments known.
Dean was sent to the remote sub-Antarctic research station on Macquarie Island with the Australian Antarctic Division for 12 months to study fur seals, has helped lead expeditions in the Antarctic on seven occasions, worked with Polar Bears in the northern Russian Arctic for two months, explored northeastern Greenland for three, and has spent the last 20 years working on the Great Barrier Reef tagging and researching everything from dwarf minke whales, tiger sharks and turtles.
In addition, Dean has worked tirelessly to position himself at the very top of the multimedia production field. A self-taught and accomplished filmmaker, he has shot, produced and presented more than 50 documentaries all over the planet for every major broadcaster including the BBC, ABC, National Geographic, Disney Nature, Foxtel, Red Bull TV and the Discovery Channel.
Dean’s work has been narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough in five documentaries and has been acclaimed for its breathtaking and stunning natural history and cinematic qualities. Dean also spends time in front of the camera, and is a presenter for the multi-award-winning "Coast Australia" BBC and Foxtel series with Neil Oliver, "Australian Geographic Explores" on Channel 9, and was a regular guest presenter with Channel 7's Sunday Night Program. Dean's work has also been featured by Red Bull television, and Dean is an advocate for conservation on the Great Barrier Reef.
Dean is the Managing Director and co-founder of the Great Barrier Reef Legacy, a non-profit organisation that crews and operates the only independent research vessels on the Great Barrier Reef to provide FREE and essential access for the best scientific minds and innovators, the most effective communicators and multimedia specialists, and build a platform for research, education and change. Essentially its science for solutions to save the Great Barrier Reef. Dean has also created the world's first Living Coral Biobank project that is quickly becoming the largest conservation effort for coral reefs worldwide.