When most kids were out playing with their toys – this little explorer was chasing down crabs on the beach.

Thea Waters’s inquisitive nature started at the age of just four when she learnt how to snorkel to investigate even more creatures below the surface.

So it was no surprise that this young lady was destined to be a marine scientist.

“The love of the ocean and marine life was passed on by my dad, as he was a diver and grew up spearfishing in waters off Victoria,” Thea said.

“But when I started diving at 15, while we were holidaying on Magnetic Island off Townsville, it opened up a whole new underwater experience.

“Spending hours snorkelling and diving, and doing a coral conservation program through school, made me to fall in love with the incredible intricate structures of corals.

“It was then and there that I decided I wanted to come back to Townsville and study marine biology at James Cook University.”

After completing her studies, Thea went on to volunteer on an island in the Maldives, helping to set-up a coral monitoring program, educating the community and working at the local turtle hospital.

Thea then returned to Townsville to complete her master’s degree in coral reef ecology and further explore her interest in corals.

Since then, she has continued to do her part to protect the Great Barrier Reef and showcase Australia’s leading marine park management across the world.

“When I started at the Reef Authority in the permits team almost a decade ago, I never thought I would be given the opportunity to work across so many different areas of Reef management,” Thea said.

Over the years, Thea has taken on roles in environmental impact assessments, Reef interventions policy and the Reef 2050 Plan.

She currently finds herself leading the Reef Authority’s international engagement activities.

“I get inspired by how much passion there is for coral reefs is in the global community and the desire of the people to protect them, so these vast ecosystems are around for future generations,” Thea said.

“For those considering a career in protecting the world’s oceans, my advice is to follow your dreams — while it doesn’t mean that you will be swimming on the Reef every day, just know that even an office job can make a difference. 

“If you have the passion, and the right skills and expertise, there is definitely a role for you at the Reef Authority to help protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef.”