All you need to know about us
Seaweed Sally was founded in 2002 by aquatic scientist Josie Nicholls. Josie Nicholls, 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.
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 focuses on the hands-on aspect of learning, while allowing plenty of time for discussion, questions, and answers. If an answer isn’t immediately available, we’ll make sure to find it using our extensive resource library.
A key feature of our program is a display of live intertidal rockpool animals collected from local Victorian waters, including Port Phillip Bay. This provides children with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the animals' unique feeding habits, defensive mechanisms, use of camouflage, and how to respect marine life and its environment.
The water temperature in which these local animals live ranges from approximately 10°C in winter to a peak of 21°C in summer. To ensure their well-being, the animals are transported in specially chilled containers to maintain the proper water temperature. When not traveling, the animals are housed in tanks regulated by chillers, creating a stress-free environment.
In addition to the live animals, we also display many preserved specimens for the children to touch and learn about. We are always expanding our collection, adding new and interesting species—most of which are local Victorian marine animals. Many of these specimens can even be found by anyone with a keen eye while beachcombing.
Based in Braeside, our business visits throughout the greater Melbourne area and many parts of country Victoria. Any inquiries you make will be personally handled by Josie Nicholls.
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Director
A qualified Aquatic Scientist, SCUBA diver, and educationalist. As a mother of three and the founder of our business in 2002, her passion, enthusiasm, and extensive knowledge have driven our success in delivering educational programs with excellent outcomes. Josie's dedication to marine education is evident in her hands-on approach and innovative teaching methods. Her leadership has been instrumental in creating a dynamic learning environment that inspires both children and adults to appreciate and protect our ocean.
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Marine Education Officer
A seasoned expert in marine biology with extensive experience in the field. She holds a B.Sc in Marine Biology and Zoology and a B. Teaching (Primary & Secondary). Amy has worked with the Marine Discovery Centre in Queenscliff, Vancouver Aquarium in Canada, Gould League, and Eco Explorers. has a love of snorkeling and volunteers as a leader each snorkel season with Marine Care RIcketts Point. Of all the places she's snorkeled she adores submerging in Port Phillip for all the wonderful creatures unique to our southern temperate waters!
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Marine Education Officer
A passionate marine conservationist with a Bachelor in Environmental Earth Science from Monash University. Dekota has a strong interest in ocean and coastal sciences and loves spreading the word about our incredible oceans and their benefits to everyday life. A qualified SCUBA diver who spends as much time as she can blowing bubbles. In her spare time, she runs a podcast called "Let's Dive In," aiming to inspire connection to the ocean.
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Marine Education Officer
An avid snorkeler who spends hours exploring beneath the surface and experiencing marine animals and their interactions firsthand. A passionate advocate for our ocean environment, Fiona loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with people of all ages. Her dedication to marine conservation shines through in her engaging storytelling and commitment to educating others about the wonders of the underwater world
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Marine Education Officer
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Marine Education Officer
