gilli clarke

Rewilding our Floodplains Intern – Brunswick River, NSW

Gilli is a marine biology student, passionate ocean advocate, and an intern for the PCFML team!

Originally from Melbourne, Gilli relocated to the Gold Coast to pursue her deep admiration for the vibrant marine ecosystems of Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

Currently, in her final year of studying a Bachelor of Marine Biology at Griffith University, Gilli is driven by a love for hands-on conservation and a commitment to community-led change.

With a strong background in marine ecology and wildlife care, Gilli has spent time as an assistant aquarist intern at Melbourne SEA LIFE Aquarium and as a dedicated wildlife volunteer at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Her experiences working directly with native species have only deepened her respect for Australia’s unique biodiversity.

Gilli is also an experienced diver and marine researcher. She has worked aboard whale-watching vessels on the Gold Coast, where she educated tourists about the annual whale migration and the importance of marine conservation, combining scientific communication with direct action.

Through her work with PCFML, Gilli is conducting seagrass ground-truthing kayak surveys and contributing data to our online Brunswick River Community hub and interactive StoryMap.

She is passionate about preserving local marine ecosystems and understands that true environmental stewardship must centre traditional knowledge and Indigenous voices. She strongly believes honouring and respecting Bundjalung custodianship is essential to any conservation efforts in this region.

Outside of her studies and conservation work, Gilli finds joy in exploring local shorelines, conducting new marine research, and connecting with the community through shared stories and environmental action.

Thank you for your support and contributions, Gilli!