Master Reef Guide | Mackay (Cohort 4)
Master Reef Guide Steve was born with seawater in his blood, his father a commercial line fisherman, his mother running the local Volunteer Marine Rescue Centre.
Steve spent his youth wandering around beaches and tidal flats exploring the mangrove estuaries. Steve was always going to end up working in the Great Barrier Reef, and he has had many diverse roles. From a Master SCUBA Diver Trainer, a Commercial Skipper and Marine Engineer, nearly 20 years as a QLD Parks and Wildlife Marine Parks Ranger.
Steve is passionate about integrating conservation and tourism by leading conservation expeditions to National Park Islands and fringing reefs.
One of Steve’s particular passions is marine turtles. He is part of Mackay and District Turtle Watch, a volunteer group that undertakes marine turtle research and conservation. During turtle season October to March, Steve will be found on beaches monitoring nesting turtles and checking on the hatching success of the nests.
To be part of the Master Reef Guide Fraternity is such a privilege. When I undertook my Master Reef Guide training at Lizard Island, I sat in awe at the depth of knowledge and experience of my cohort. We, as Master Reef Guides living and working in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, have an amazing opportunity to deliver excellent tourism interpretation to highly engaged visitors.
I am passionate about delivering conservation-based interpretation, which encompasses both marine and terrestrial environments. My mantra is “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand”.
