Meet the Palaeontologist

Where did you learn about palaeontology or the study of fossil history?

"Initially, I taught myself a lot through reading anything I could get my hands on and by going to places where I could find fossils such as Lyme Regis and Aust Cliff in southwest England, and Ulladulla, Lithgow and Yass in New South Wales. However, my formal training began at Macquarie University in Sydney where I majored in palaeontology and zoology, followed by an Honours degree at the University of New South Wales where I studied the anatomy and relationships of fossil kangaroos.

Currently I am completing my PhD on the fossil marine reptiles of Australia, which includes a special study of the South Australian material."

What type of fossils are you particularly interested in?"

My area of interest is fossil vertebrates (or animals with backbones), particularly Mesozoic reptiles. This includes groups such as plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, dinosaurs and pterosaurs, which lived during the Mesozoic era of geological time around 245 - 65 million years ago."

Can you tell us whereabouts you have looked for fossils and describe the most amazing fossil you have discovered?

"Since my formal training began I have had the opportunity to look for fossils in many places, though probably the most spectacular fossil sites I have been lucky enough to see include the Hughenden-Richmond region and Riversleigh in northern Queensland and Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. By far the best of these for me, however, was the Cretaceous marine deposits of Hughenden-Richmond, which is where I discovered a beautifully preserved ichthyosaur skull whilst on fieldwork with Robert Jones of the Australian Museum."

Have you had any exciting adventures while looking for fossils?"

Well, that depends on what you mean by exciting. I have almost stepped on a snake near Hughenden and been caught in a flood at Lightning Ridge, both of which got my adrenalin going, but by far the most exciting part is finding the fossils themselves. Though, I suppose this can also have an element of adventure such as when you find yourself climbing 20 metres down a very shaky ladder in a very narrow vertical mine shaft to dig for opalised dinosaur bones at Lightning Ridge."

Is there someone who has inspired you to study more about fossils?"

Without doubt the most inspiring person is my mother without whom none of my passion for fossils and palaeontology would ever have happened. Seeing the enthusiasm of others such as Tim Flannery Director of the South Australian Museum, Henk Godthelp from the University of New South Wales, Mike Archer, Director of the Australian Museum and numerous others, however, is also very pleasing."

What would advice would you give to a student if they wanted to become a palaeontologist? "

To anyone wanting to become a palaeontologist I would advise him or her not to give up their passion. Admittedly it takes a lot of hard work and a long time studying at university but I can absolutely guarantee that the end result, being able to work with such beautiful things as fossils, is well worth it."

Where could students go to learn more about the fossil history of South Australia?"

The best place to learn more about the fossil history of South Australia is the South Australian Museum. They hold extensive collections of both fossil invertebrates and vertebrates ranging from the weird and wonderful 570 million-year-old Ediacaran fauna, 120 million year old opalised plesiosaur and dinosaur bones and complete skeletons of giant marsupials only a few hundred thousand years old."

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