About Southern Oceans Education

Seaweed Sally was founded in 2002 by aquatic scientist Josie Mulcahy. Josie Mulcahy, the sole owner operator of the business, began the business in an attempt to increase children’s awareness and understanding of their own local marine environment here in Victoria, and therefore teach children how to respect and protect the life within it.

Josie has completed a Bachelor of Science (Aquatic Science) at Deakin University Warrnambool. It was during her study that she came to the realization, that although we are surrounded by a fantastic coastline, boasting sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, rock pools and more, many Australians have very little knowledge of the coastal environment and what resides there. Josie began her career designing and delivering marine education programs for all ages from kinder through to Year 11 at Tooradin Marine Life Centre and aboard the Western Port Explorer. With a university degree to back up her passion, and extensive experience working with children Josie embarked on her journey as Seaweed Sally to educate the future caretakers of the marine environment, in particular the Victorian coastline and its inhabitants. It’s amazing how many things people see every day on the beach but don’t realize what they really are!!!

Did you know.......the horseshoe shaped jelly that washes up on the sand is not a jelly fish, but the egg case of the moon/sand snail?
Southern Ocean Education concentrates on the ‘hands on’ aspect of learning whilst allowing time for discussion, questions and answers.
If an answer is not readily available we will endeavor to find out the answer from our extensive resource library.

A display of live intertidal rock pool animals collected from local Victorian waters (including Port Phillip Bay), allows the children to learn first hand the animals unusual feeding habits, defensive mechanisms, use of camouflage, and how to respect marine animals and their environment.

The temperature of the water in which these local animals live ranges from approximately 10 degrees Celcius in winter to a peak of 21 degees Celcius in summer. Accordingly the animals are transported in specially chilled containers to regulate the temperature of the water. When not traveling, the animals are kept in water regulated by chillers, thus creating a stress free environment.

Many preserved specimens are also displayed for the children to touch and learn about. We are constantly increasing the display and adding new and interesting species. These again are generally local (Victorian) marine animals. Many of the things in this display can be found by anyone with a keen eye whilst beachcombing.

The business, based in Parkdale, visits throughout the greater Melbourne area and many country Victorian areas. Any enquiries you make will be handled directly by Josie Mulcahy.


Josie Mulcahy – Aquatic Scientist		Jenita Comer Marine Biologist
Josie grew up spending every spare moment at her family holiday house in Sandy Point near Wilsons Promontory. A “beach bum” from a young age, in or around the ocean was always where she could be found. This included becoming a lifesaver with the local much loved surf club Waratah Beach where she met her like minded future husband. Whilst completing her Aquatic Science degree at Deakin University she also completed her Scuba Diving certificate and has since spent hundreds of hours underwater. Seaweed Sally and now Southern Ocean Education has given Josie the opportunity to share her passion for the marine environment, and with young children of her own now, feels it’s more important than ever to encourage young children who are the caretakers of the future to understand, enjoy, respect and hopefully protect the marine and coastal environment.		Originally from inland Bendigo, Jenita found she always had a yearning for the sea so once she completed VCE, to the sea she went. She is now a qualified marine scientist who studied at James Cook University in Townsville. Subsequently Jenita worked for a year as a Marine Biologist and snorkel guide on board Fantasea Cruises on the Great Barrier Reef, where she spent more time in the water than out. Jenita moved back to her home state of Victoria in 2010 and has since been sharing her knowledge as Seaweed Sally at your kinder or school.