“There are so many animals we have yet to discover and understand and so much we do not know about these extraordinary marine and freshwater ecosystems.”
Family holidays by the seaside awoke a curiosity in Olivia Hill as a young girl. Walks along the beach making new discoveries filled her with joy and awe. Thereafter, her primary endeavour has been to learn more.
You may recognise Olivia from our online playgroup session, when Olivia invited us on an adventure to meet the penguins. We caught up with Olivia to learn more about her life work and her role at Melbourne’s aquarium.
Olivia, you have worked at the aquarium since it first opened in 2000. What was your experience like at the beginning? What was it like being part of the development of the aquarium in Melbourne?
It was a very exciting time; I had just finished University and this was my first "proper" job. We had a wonderful group of enthusiastic and visionary people working together to create something beautiful and unique in Melbourne.
What first piqued your interest in the underwater world and its creatures? Did you spend a great deal of your childhood near the beach or learning about the ocean? Was this a passion from a young age?
My family was lucky enough to have a beach house in Torquay where we spent our holidays. My mum loved to walk along the high tide mark looking for shells. The variety and colours of the things we found during these walks set me on my path to learn everything I could about the ocean and its secrets.
I got truly addicted when my Dad and I found a Weedy Seadragon on the beach and as I had never seen or heard of one before I assumed we had discovered a new species! We preserved the specimen in a bottle and labelled it and went to the museum to learn more about it. I was hooked!
What particular area of study did you pursue?
I studied Biology with a Major in Marine Science at Deakin University in Geelong.
Is there a specific animal you are interested in?
I am fascinated by jellies and cephalopods, but if it lives in the ocean I want to learn all I can about it.
What animals live at the aquarium that people may not expect?
I think our Sea Jellies display is really interesting to our guests. They are so much more than the blobs of goo you find washed ashore. People are surprised by their graceful movements and delicate structures.
What are the most unusual species?
We are lucky enough to have the Tasmanian Spotted Handfish, a critically endangered species. They walk along the seafloor on fins that look a little like hands and have a cool dorsal fin, a little like a mohawk - and such a grumpy face!
What animals most intrigue you, inspire you or surprise you at the aquarium?
I think all of our animals have been my favourite at some point over the years and I learn something new almost every day. It is a remarkable place to spend your time.
What are some of the most amazing things you would like to share about the ocean and its creatures?
I find it extraordinary that more people have been to the moon than have been to the deepest parts of our oceans. There are so many animals we have yet to discover and understand and so much we do not know about these extraordinary marine and freshwater ecosystems. It is up to every single one of us to do what we can to protect and preserve habitats and minimise our impacts however we can.
How do you construct the different habitats for the animals? What kind of things do you replicate from the animals natural environments?
Before a new display is designed, we need to look at the environment that the animal comes from and if we can replicate its environment sufficiently to allow us to care for this animal and its unique requirements. In some cases this can be relatively simple, for example, Jellies require a current to swim against, a particular water quality and brine shrimp or small pieces of fish and prawns to eat. Some exhibits are far more complex and require skill and diligence to ensure that the communities we create get along well and thrive in the environment we create.
In what ways have you observed the sea life engaging with each other, and indeed with people? Are there any particularly sociable animals?
Our penguins are always very keen to interact with our visitors and are very sociable in their colonies. There is always something going on in there! We have also had some remarkable octopus species over the years, and some of them were very curious about their keepers and the guests.
What have been some of your most treasured experiences over the years?
I love watching children see the animals, their excitement and curiosity. Some of the best and most difficult questions I have ever had have come from small children.
I also treasure the opportunity to meet with children who have come to visit us through our children's charity Marlins Magic Wand, being able to spend some precious happy moments with children and their families while they have a short break from treatment for various illnesses. Their bravery and resilience is inspiring.
Imagery courtesy of SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
What advice would you give to anyone looking to work in a similar field?
Learn everything you can.
Volunteer in fields that will give you experience in what you want to do.
Understand that although this field is rewarding it can also be very challenging.
What has it been like at the aquarium during lockdown?
Sadly, very quiet! The curatorial staff who continue to work hard to provide the best care for the animals have done an extraordinary job over the numerous lockdowns. It has been a privilege to work with them on-site during this time under such challenging conditions and I am so incredibly grateful to them for taking such great care of our animal family and the individual sacrifices they have had to make to ensure we could do so.
What conservation practices are embedded in SEA LIFE’s philosophy? What role do aquariums play in conservation?
Our vision is of a world where our oceans are healthy, properly protected, and full of diverse life. We want all visitors to our aquarium to love the oceans and the creatures that live in them as much as we do. By sharing their beauty, and learning more about them, we want to inspire you to help us protect them for generations to come.
Who is your favourite character in Finding Nemo?
Mr Ray is my favourite; I love his songs and his enthusiasm.
Swim on and explore more at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium here
Article by Sinead Halliday