Inspiring The Next Generation Of Reef Warriors

With one of the seven wonders of the natural world in our backyard, tourism operators and local schools are partnering up to give the next generation of reef warriors educational experiences in Australia’s largest outdoor classroom.

Developed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, ‘Be a Marine Biologist for a Day’ is a program that offers high quality experiential learning excursions, designed to be delivered by tourism operators for students visiting the Great Barrier Reef.

The curriculum-linked program is a comprehensive suite of educational resources that delves well below the surface to provide an in-depth knowledge about the rich biodiversity of the reef and its marine life.

Assistant Director Reef Education Holly Lambert said they were excited to launch the suite of educational resources that give students and teachers a taste for what it is like to be a marine biologist on the Great Barrier Reef.

“We worked with teachers, master reef guides and high standard tourism operators to create curriculum aligned education products that enable students of all ages to learn about the Reef from the classroom to the coral,” Ms Lambert said.

“The project aims to increase students’ understanding of the Reef, inspire a love for citizen science and share knowledge with the next generation of Reef custodians,” she said.

The Queensland Government has also invested over $1 million in a 3-year program – Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program which sees $150 per student, paid directly to schools to go towards the cost of a school excursion which includes a reef experience.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said it was vitally important to boost the next generation’s understanding of Queensland’s greatest living asset.

“The State Government’s Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program has helped more than 8,000 Queensland students get onto the Reef for the school excursion of a lifetime,” Ms Gilbert said.

“We’ve turned the Great Barrier Reef into Australia’s biggest outdoor classroom to deliver a unique, hands-on learning experience for students and new tour opportunities for reef operators.

Ms Gilbert added that since launching in mid-2021, the Great Barrier Reef Education Experience has delivered more than $5.6 million to regional Queensland’s visitor economy.

“It’s fabulous to see our city join the program’s school excursion destinations with the recent launch of Wild Cat’s Great Barrier Reef and island tours from Mackay.

“Last year, the State Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund supported Wild Cat to get into the water with an investment of almost $1 million to add to Mackay’s many visitor experiences,” Ms Gilbert said.

Red Cat Adventures is a certified business operator in the reef program and schools in the Mackay region are now able to claim tours on Wildcat Mackay.

With years of experience in tourism and training, Wildcat Mackay aims to immerse students in an authentic natural classroom.

Red Cat Adventures Owner Julie Telford is excited for her Wildcat team to inspire and educate young minds about the world’s largest natural wonder.

"Learning can be fun and we are so lucky to have The Great Barrier Reef as our playground.

“We must teach the future generation and allow them the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with the reef through interactive and hands-on immersive learning experiences,” Ms Telford said.

One of the many advantages of the reef program is that it adds value to the Mackay region by increasing the level of education and awareness of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mackay Isaac Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Tas Webber said having an accessible education experience allows students to have a permanent platform to study the Reef’s ecosystems.

“When it comes to Reef education, inspiring our next generation of reef warriors is important.

“They are ones that will be protecting the Reef for our future generations,” Mr Webber said.

L-R: Mackay Isaac Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Tas Webber, Assistant Director Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Carolyn Roche and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert with a Wildcat Master Reef Guide. Image supplied: Julieanne Gilbert

Wildcat is now offering educational excursions, as part of the State Government's reef education program. Photo credits: Leah McLean Photography

‍