More fun photos!

Millie loved showing Volunteer Anita her deep sea diver

School Holiday Fun at the Discovery Centre

Plenty of families are joining in the fun and educational activities at the Discovery Centre these School Holidays.  See what's on offer by clicking here:

Annalise (6) & Millie (3) with their deep sea divers

HOLIDAY FUN AT THE DISCOVERY CENTRE - BOOK NOW!!!

Loads of fun to be had at the Discovery Centre during the School Holidays.  Check out all the educational and fun activities by clicking here!

December 2011 Newsletter - out now!

Check out all the latest news in our December 2011 Newsletter.  Just click here to read!

ANNUAL PASS

Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre
is pleased and proud to announce the launch of its
ANNUAL PASS!!!
Available NOW, here's what you get:

• Free Unlimited Entry to the centre for 12 months (during normal opening hours)
• 10% discount off retail items in the SCMDC shop
• Buy 1 coffee get 1 free at Great White Bite Cafe at the Wharf

Contact us for more details or to BUY ONE NOW (great Chrissy pressent!)

Board Members and Staff celebrate Christmas 2011

Board and Staff members of SCMDC enjoyed a lovely meal at Mystique Restaurant in Eden last Saturday night to celebrate another successful year and the coming Christmas season.

Supersize Nemo made an appearance and almost stole the show, keeping all the restaurant patrons enthralled with his flying antics.

Exciting new school holiday activities!

The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre will be conducting a range of activities including hands on workshops and outdoor programs in the upcoming school holidays.

For more information on what is on offer, click here

SCMDC Closure for the week

The SCMDC will be closed next week from Monday the 28th November through Friday the 2nd December for Training and Maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience. The office will however be attended so any enquiries please phone 02 6496 1699. Thank you

OPEN THIS SATURDAY

don't forget we're 

OPEN this SATURDAY

the 19TH November 

at 10am till 2pm

Investigate. Explore. 

Discover!!!

Why "Whale Vomit" Smells So Delicious

Why "Whale Vomit" Smells So Delicious

edenWHALEfestival

don't forget!!!

W E ' R E   O P E N  

for the EDEN WHALE FESTIVAL

11am till 4pm Saturday 29th October 

what does a crayfish eat? 

what about an octopus 

come and see with 

fish feeding at 12pm

Ever wondered how a whale breathes? 
how long can they hold their breath? 
what is a blowhole?

with a fun poptastic &realistic demonstration 

have these questions and more answered at the 

Whale Talks at 1:30 and 2:30pm

Come visit us & discover a 

fascinating world of all things MARINE...

Read our latest Newsletter!

There's lots of information about whales in this Edition of Sea Scenes.  Read on and enjoy!

New Constitution for Eden Marine Centre Ltd

The Board of Directors of Eden Marine Centre Ltd. (Trustee for The Eden Whale Discovery Centre Research Trust and trading as "Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre") signed off on a new Constitution recently and we have been advised that it has now been processed by the Australian Securities & Investment Commission.  Click here for a copy of the document.

In the very near future we will be asking our wonderful community supporters to become Members of the organisation. Very exciting times indeed.

NEW SATURDAY OPENING HOURS!!!

EXCITING NEWS!!!

The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre will be 

OPENING EVERY SECOND SATURDAY

10am to 2pm

Beginning this Saturday the 8th!!!! 

We will then open on the following Saturdays:

October 22, November 5 and 19, and December 3 and 17.

Come along and check us out !!

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES

11am to 3pm

Wednesday to Friday

28 Sept to 14 October

ROCKY SHORE RAMBLE

Come and Discover Our Amazing Coast

Join a marine biologist exploring the amazing diversity of life found on our rock platforms

Any age.  1.5 hrs 

Wednesday 28 September 2:30pm

Thursday 29 September 2:30pm

Friday 30 September 2:30pm

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

FISH FEEDING

Wednesday & Fridays 11:30am

Visitors to the centre, Kira and Riley from Geelong get hands on with interesting items
 on the Beachcombing table 

Whale researchers having great success!

Kylie Owen, the PhD student studying humpback whales in the area has had a very successful start to her research project.  Since starting work on Monday with her colleagues Dave Donnelly and Scott Sheahan, Kylie has managed to secure 8 biopsy samples from feeding humpbacks. She said the whales were being 'very co-operative' with one spy-hopping so close this morning that she could see down its throat.

The team are working off the research vessel aptly named "Krillseeker" and were also able to collect a sample of krill - so thick you can't see through it.

Kylie is using the Eden Marine Laboratory in the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre to process her samples and store her gear.  Later this week she will start using the special 'Dtag' to secure to whales for up to 2 hours and collect even more data.

Kylie and Scott up close and personal with a feeding humpback in Twofold Bay

VOLUNTEER TRAINING - WE WANT YOU!!!!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!!

We will be holding Volunteer training days for anyone interested in becoming a

Volunteer with the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre

Training will be held from 10:30am to 2:30pm

Thursday the 22nd & Friday the 23 OR Thursday the 29 & 30th of September

YOU NEED ONLY ATTEND ANY TWO of these four days.

 Please phone the centre on 02 6496 1699 for more details

Humpback Whale Presentation

Presented by Kylie Owen and David Donnelly
SURFAH Project: Surface and Underwater Research on Feeding Australian Humpback Whales
Investigating the fine scale feeding behaviour of humpback whales.
Humpback Whale Presentation

July Edition of our monthly Newsletter "Sea Scenes"

July 2011 Newsletter

Come and see our new Masterplan!

Our new Architectural Masterplan will be officially launched by Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Dr Mike Kelly, AM, MP on Friday 10th June with a number of invited dignitaries attending.  Community members are invited to join the celebration from 1.30pm till 4.30pm.

The Centre will be open again on Saturday 11th June from 10am till 12 noon to give community members another chance to catch a glimpse of our new plans.  Why not drop by and check them out?

The plans were prepared by Convergence Design, Boyce Pizzey Strategic and Content Studios and overseen by a Working Group consisting of Board and staff members and SCMDC Volunteers.

This is an Australian Government funded initiative under TQUAL Grants.

We are looking for a new Voluntary Board Member

We are calling for Expressions of Interest from people interested in joining our Voluntary Board of Directors. If you are interested in joining this rapidly expanding and exciting organisation we would like to hear from you.  Please email: admin@sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au with ‘Board Position’ in the subject line.    For more details, please contact our Chairman Stan Soroka on 0428 100095.  

Position Vacant - Part-time Marine Teacher

We are seeking a part-time teacher to undertake our marine education outreach program for schools in the local area and regional areas of NSW, ACT and Victoria. If you have a passion for marine education in a temperate marine environment, have the appropriate experience and qualifications and would like to join our team then we would like to hear from you.  

Applications must be received by 5pm Friday 17^th June 2011.

For further details including Job Description, call 02 6496 1699, email: admin@sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au or download the Information Package as a pdf here

The recent Easter school holiday period proved wonderfully busy with extended opening hours, rocky shore rambles and snorkel trips. A big thank you to our enthusiastic and committed volunteers ever at the ready to help in sharing their knowledge and passion to new and returning visitors and staff alike.

Recently we've had some new additions to the tanks such as delicate anemones, pencil slate urchins, a new Octopus and a beautifully marked Port Jackson shark. The shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni, a 4-5 year old female was originally part of a pilot trial study conducted by Phd research student Tristian at the Merimbula Aquarium. 

Our aquaria life is ever changing and like life outside the tanks is transient and unpredictable, so come in and see us soon!

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

 Snug Cove Wharf, Eden

Ph: 02 64961699

www.sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au

Come and discover our amazing marine environment

• Kids corner • Aquaria

• Touch tank• Beachcombing table

• Science room • Whale room

• theatrette with stunning films

• Tsunami demos• Research displays

• DVD presentations• Experienced guides

and much more !

 

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES

11am to 3pm

Wednesday to Saturday from 13th April – 30th April

(CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY 22nd April)

Adults $7, Seniors $5, Children $2, Families $15

Holiday Activity Programs (Minimum Group Size 4)

Rocky Shore Ramble

Join an experienced guide exploring the amazing diversity of life found on our rock platforms

Any age 1.5hrs $5 Adults $2 Children $12 Families

(Note: subject to tides)

Guided Snorkel Tours

Our Trained Instructors can show you some hidden secrets in the clear waters along the Sapphire Coast

Ages 12+ 2hrs 25 Adults $10 Children $60 Families

(Maximum Group Size: 8)

 

If you don’t have the numbers, give us a call and we’ll see what we can arrange for you.

Phone us to discuss your needs and book a tour on 6496 1699 or 0417 535 444

Beachcomber - by Sheree Epe

Recent flooding rains and big seas buried our coast in a sea of foam and littered our beaches with debris and an array of interesting marine creatures.

Sea foam is a naturally occurring phenomena created by the agitation of seawater containing high concentrations of dissolved organic matter. The organic matter acts as a 'foaming agent' trapping air created by breaking waves and forming bubbles - similar to what happens in your washing machine or bubble bath.

The large amount of freshwater entering the ocean has knocked around many coastal marine species. Significant numbers of abalone, seastars and sea urchins have been found dead and washed up on beaches around Twofold Bay.

One fascinating creature you may come across is the seapen. Seapens belong to the Phylum Cnidaria which includes coral, anemones and jellyfish. They are colonial marine organisms so named because some species have a feather-like appearance, similar to antique quills.

Most seapens prefer deep waters (greater than 10 meters), where they are less likely to be uprooted, but rough seas like those recently experienced may tear seapens from the substrate, allowing them to be washed ashore.

'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' - yet another successful forum

Dr Alan Jordan with some of his amazing images

The 3rd Annual Marine Science Forum 'Food for Thought' was another great success with people travelling from far and wide to attend.

6 impressive speakers kept the audience captive with amazing educational presentations and spectacular imagery about subjects such as marine habitats, ocean currents, fisheries management and aquaculture of both oysters and sea urchins.

Drs Williamson, Stewart & Rowling met up with local seaweed enthusiast Eva Horne

The 2 day event has now secured a permanent place in the annual calendar of many local community members as well


as many of the speakers, both past and present.  Many presenters have commented that the Forum offers them a rare opportunity to present to the public.

Many newcomers said that whilst they came to 'learn something' they were happily surprised that they also thoroughly enjoyed the learning process.

Feedback has been as positive as ever and the Research Advisory Group will now begin securing speakers for Forum 2012.

'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' Marine Science Forum 26th & 27th March 2011

So you've missed out on the Early Bird rates?  It's still VERY AFFORDABLE to register for your place at the 'Food for Thought' Marine Science Forum on 26th & 27th March at the Eden High School Hall.

At only $30 per day for general public and FREE ENTRY for STUDENTS, it's still well within most budgets so make sure you get your space booked now.  Registration even includes a yummy morning tea and lunch is only $5 per day.

Book now for a unique opportunity rarely available outside metropolitan areas.  Download the Program here: If you plan to register, please download the Registration Form here and either scan and email to admin@sapphirecoastdiscovery.com.au or fax to 02 6496 2404.

BOOK NOW for Early Bird Rego rates for "Food for Thought" Marine Science Forum

We are still taking Early Bird Rate Registrations for our 3rd Annual Marine Science Forum until Friday 25th February 2011.

With a theme of  'Food for Thought' there will be plenty of interest from local fishermen and aquaculturalists as well as the wider community so make sure you secure your spot now!

The Forum will be held at the Eden Marine High School Hall on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th March 2011.

Early Bird Registration is only $20 per person per day (including a delicious morning tea from our Volunteers) will give you access to some of Australia's leading marine scientists with amazing and engaging presentations.  3 speakers on Saturday, another 3 on Sunday.

Read the Program here:
Download your Registration Form here:

Don't miss out - a rare opportunity for community members to hear from the experts.

A special visit from our Patron, Ian Kiernan AO

Staff, Board members and Volunteers were thrilled to welcome our Patron Ian Kiernan AO to the Centre this week.  Ian was visiting to gain an update on the rapid growth of the Centre's operations in recent years and to discuss the next big project - replacing the sections of old asbestos roofing on our building.

Ian is world renowned for his amazing work with Clean Up Australia Day www.cleanup.org.au and Clean Up the World www.cleanuptheworld.org.  Whilst in Eden, Ian met with SCMDC staff to discuss establishing a display that focuses on the major issue of plastics in the ocean.  We hope to have a new display around this issue in the very near future.

Our Patron, Ian Kiernan AO with a specimen from the beachcombing table

'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' Marine Science Forum 26th & 27th March 2011

Register now to secure discounted Early Bird Rates for our 3rd Annual Marine Science Forum on 26th & 27th March 2011.  One of the only opportunities the general public has to hear from Australia's most respected Marine Scientists - come along and learn from the experts!

Six respected Marine Scientists from around Australia will give presentations on subjects including Fisheries Management, Oysters, Sea Urchins, Seabed mapping and how the Sun, Moon and Oceans influence our climate.

Early Bird Rates are only $20 per person per day including morning tea!

Click here for the full Program.
Click here for the Registration Form.

Get in quick and secure your spot!