I’m 21 years old, and have been snorkelling for as long as I can remember. I have been a keen Openwater diver for the last three years. I’m currently in my 4th year of Aquaculture and am interested in the skills that the Marine Archaeology field trip can offer. These will be used with my recreational diving and perhaps in commercial situations too. I’m hoping to move north after study to pursue the marine ornamental and pearl industries. Giant clams and stony coral are of extra interest.

Hi, I am Toby Fox. I’m 21 years old and grew up in Port Lincoln but now have moved to Adelaide. I am studying marine biology which means I enjoy long walks on the beach. Other interests include surfing, diving, fishing and spending time with my kids. My main motivation for making the gruelling journey to the home of VB is to look after Jason (he is a very patriotic Canadian) as I don’t drink. I am looking forward to exploring some wrecks in between fine dining.

I am a 25 year-old second year archaeology student from Adelaide in the rare position of being the only undergraduate student on the field school. Not only am I the only undergrad archaeologist, but I am one of the few Australians in the face of the Canadian invasion. Why archaeology? Why maritime archaeology? Well after a failed two year attempt at an economics degree in Sydney, and the subsequent world travel and soul-searching, I found my calling...at least at this stage I still believe I have. I have done plenty of diving before, working for a dive company in Vietnam, and I enjoy terrestrial archaeology, therefore the next logical step was to combine the two...and that’s where this field school comes in.

I’m currently studying Marine Biology at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia. I took this field trip because I have an interest in shipwrecks and maritime heritage. I enjoy a good day boating, whilst enjoying activities such as fishing, diving or going on the whip. I’m pretty keen to travel and dive all around Australia and overseas.

I’m Alex Payne, and I’m 21 years old. I’m currently finishing up a Bachelor of Technology in Aquaculture. I was born in Adelaide, moved to Corny Point on the Yorke Peninsula at 2, then to Warooka also on the Yorke Peninsula. In 1998 we moved back to Adelaide and here we are. Living in the country for the majority of my life gave me a love for marine life through fishing and snorkelling. I received my open water dive certificate in 2004 and haven’t regretted it at all. Almost all my diving has been in temperate waters around SA. I chose to do the field school because I haven’t experienced much archaeological work so far, and it has always appealed to me.

My name is Mark Roberts and I am 21 years young from Brighton in Adelaide, SA.I’m studying Marine Biology and enjoy rock climbing, diving, four wheeling and being South Australian. We don’t get to dive in our degree so thats why I’m here! Plus wreck diving is very much fun. I also enjoy skimboarding, drinking expensive import beer and dancing with boys in clubs.

Jun graduated with a BA in Archaeology from Tokai University, Japan. He completed a Master of Maritime Archaeology at Flinders University in South Australia in 2006. He has background as a field archaeologist had done some work on terrestrial sites. He was also involved in surveys and excavations on underwater sites including the steamship Hermann, the Kattu-ra midden site, and the Takashima underwater site. His undergraduate thesis analysed the site formation process of the Takashima underwater site, which is known as a historical place where Khubilai's Mongolian fleet was sunk in 1281. His Master thesis focused on developing the idea of maritime cultural space using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to understand the site formation processes of the shipwrecks in the South Australian waters. In 2007 Jun commenced his PhD in maritime archaeology, and his current research interest is the examination of maritime activity in the medieval East Asia employing archaeological evidence.

Peta Knott is from Sydney but has also lived in Adelaide (where she learnt to speak proper English!) and now resides in Hobart. While studying Classical Archaeology at Sydney University, she developed a fascination with Mediterranean Maritime Archaeology and in particular ancient anchors. In pursuit of learning more about this topic she completed a Masters of Maritime Archaeology at Flinders University in 2006. A thesis examining the representation of shipwrecks in museums allowed Peta to visit 30 museums around Australia. Peta was prepared to spend several years as a dig bum in Sydney to give her brain a rest from studying. Instead, a full time job came up and Peta is now the Maritime Heritage Coordinator at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Her job allows her to do all sorts of shippy things like designing exhibitions, helping with restoring historic vessels, doing public programs and attending field schools. This is Peta’s fifth field school with Flinders University. She must like coming back time after time. At least with this field school in Victoria, the water is warmer than in Hobart and there are less sharks than in Adelaide!

Sam Turner has been doing nautical archaeology since 1988. He did his MA in nautical archaeology at Texas A&M University and his doctorate at King’s College, University of London. Sam specializes in Spanish Colonial shipwrecks and documentary history and has worked in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Sam is the current Director of Archaeology at the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum in St. Augustine, Florida.

Agnes completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and Australian Studies at the University of Melbourne before embarking on a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Events Management at Victoria University. She completed AIMA Part I and II and had happily volunteered with Heritage Victoria before finally pursuing her passions with gusto and beginning a Diploma in Maritime Archaeology. She's a keen diver, wreck enthusiast and underwater photographer.

My name is Hanna, I arrived in Australia about 15 months ago to work for Heritage Victoria as a maritime archaeologist, following a few years working as a commercial maritime archaeologist in the UK. Commercial work in the UK includes a range of work including desk based research, shipwreck surveys, geophysical analysis and processing. My work at Heritage Victoria has so far been varied and interesting, and I’ve spent vast amounts of time getting training up to scratch, including adding snake bites to my first aid repertoire. I’m enjoying my first Field School in 10 years, and loving the opportunity to assist with logistics and teaching support.