Exec Elections

Gabby Joslin-Thomas 

Hey hey, my name's Gabby, I am a Master of Marine Biology student and I have been the vice president for the TLC this past semester. I love what we have created in these recent months and I’m running for president to step up into bigger shoes and continue to grow this amazing community we have!

I have worked with sea turtles for many years both locally and overseas focussing on nesting, hatchling protection and the “lost years” of multiple species. I have continued to grow my love of sea turtles while studying at JCU and continued this passion at JCU Turtle Health Research for the past 2 years as a team leader, raising and researching the loggerheads there alongside being apart of their research council last year.

I wish to continue to share the importance of sea turtles and their conservation, and I hope by being the potential future president, we can share this awareness and grow our network by branching out and connecting more people within our marine family to you guys!

If you elect me, I promise to be at the backbone of the society and ensure to bring more events, opportunities and more cool merch your way alongside support for all our members! I can’t wait to see what the TLC has coming!

Hayden Collins 

Hi all! I’m super excited to be involved in the Turtle Love and Conservation club. I want to bring every member the kinds of opportunities to work with and for turtles that inspire future careers. Being able to work with sea turtles has been a big motivator to keep me throughout my degree so far, and has brought me immense joy. I also look forward to building a community within the turtle conservation club and encouraging new students to get out and gain new experiences. I want members to feel comfortable approaching me with any questions they have. My personal vision for the club is to involve it with the wider Townsville community. Especially when it comes to working with kids and schools around Townsville. I think we as university students will learn a lot from being able to teach and work with younger children, as it will help us grow as teachers and knowledgeable members of our field. I’m excited to commit time to help our president find new speakers, and outings that our club members can become involved in. Thank you and I hope I get your vote! 

David Bellettini 

Hey I'm David, and I'm currently pursuing my Master of Marine Biology at JCU. My passion for conservation started when I was a kid, snorkelling in Hawaii and witnessing the beauty of sea turtles up close. Since then, I've had incredible experiences diving with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, in Fiji, and Vanuatu. These encounters have fuelled my determination to ensure that everyone can enjoy and protect these magnificent creatures.

I am running for a position on the TLC team because I am committed to helping our club grow and continue offering amazing conservation experiences to students. I believe in the power of community and want to create opportunities for our members to expand their networks and meet fellow turtle enthusiasts.

To achieve this, I plan to regularly organize events featuring guest speakers who can share their expertise. Additionally, I aim to host more frequent social events, allowing us to connect, share our experiences, and build a strong, supportive community within the club.

David Bellettini 

Hey I'm David, and I'm currently pursuing my Master of Marine Biology at JCU. My passion for conservation started when I was a kid, snorkelling in Hawaii and witnessing the beauty of sea turtles up close. Since then, I've had incredible experiences diving with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, in Fiji, and Vanuatu. These encounters have fuelled my determination to ensure that everyone can enjoy and protect these magnificent creatures.

I am running for a position on the TLC team because I am committed to helping our club grow and continue offering amazing conservation experiences to students. I believe in the power of community and want to create opportunities for our members to expand their networks and meet fellow turtle enthusiasts.

To achieve this, I plan to regularly organize events featuring guest speakers who can share their expertise. Additionally, I aim to host more frequent social events, allowing us to connect, share our experiences, and build a strong, supportive community within the club.

Natalia Torres 

I’m Natalia Torres Irizarry, a marine biologist and passionate advocate for marine conservation and community engagement. My academic journey and research experiences have given me a profound understanding of marine ecosystems and the critical importance of protecting them. I’m running for the secretary role in the Turtle Love Conservation Club because I believe in the power of collective action. By taking on this role, I aspire to mobilize our members towards environmental actions to advocate for turtle conservation. My vision for the club is to create a supportive community where ideas can thrive, and initiatives can come to life. Ultimately, my goal is to foster an inclusive environment where members feel empowered to share their ideas and participate in meaningful projects. 

Meghan Adair 

Hey Turtle Club fam,

I'm Meghan, a masters of marine biology student from Canada, and I have loved the ocean for as long as I can remember. Over time my interests have involved into the ultimate passion project, one that looks at the best way to promote the conservation of one of my favourite animals – the sea turtle!

Just like a turtle hatchling hustling towards the sea, at times, this degree has made me feel like I’m fighting for my life, but it comes with the rewards of working with sea turtles. In my second year as a marine biology master’s student, I’ve now got the knowledge to match my love for turtles and our beautiful oceans. Alongside Prof. Mark Hammann, I get to investigate sea turtle pathology, both in wild caught green turtles at Toolakea, as well as in the loggerhead turtles at JCU’s Turtle Health Facility.

So, why vote for me as your secretary? If elected, I will bring along some exciting research opportunities, inviting members of TLC to join me as volunteers in the field to get up close and personal with the turts. Aside from turt perks & knowledge, I bring humour, dedication, and enjoy planning social events as well. I look forward to hopefully becoming your next secretary and getting to know you duuuuudessss better.

Ewa Buczkowska

Hi! My name is Ewa and I would love to Turtle Love and Conservations next Treasurer. 

I have been a part of TLC for almost a year now, mainly doing part of the Social Media and would love to get more involved  and contribute more to the club! 

I am currently in my second semester of my Bachelor in Advanced Science. I am majoring in Marine Biology and Data Science and therefore like both turtles and numbers, which makes me the right person for the job. 

Additionally, I have been volunteering at the JCU Turtle Health Research center and working for the Sea Turtle Foundation, which gives me lots of insight! I hope I can contribute a little bit to how we can promote turtle conservation at JCU!

All the best:)