Amanda Philp

From a young age, growing up in a coastal town, I was captivated by the ocean and its wildlife. That early fascination inspired a lifelong dream to become a marine biologist. While completing my Bachelor of Marine Science and Management at Southern Cross University, I rescued a turtle, later named Jolene, which was my introduction to Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue (ASTR), leading to an internship with ASTR. It was there, working hands-on with injured and stranded turtles, that I discovered my true passion for marine turtle conservation. 

For the past five years, I have dedicated my career to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing marine turtles, with a particular focus on green sea turtles. As Assistant General Manager and Head Biologist at ASTR, I oversee rehabilitation operations and lead our turtle conservation programs. My work also extends to collaborations with NSW TurtleWatch and research initiatives with Southern Cross University.

In 2021, I was honoured to be named Tweed Shire Council Citizen of the Year for my volunteer contributions to wildlife rescue. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to improving survival outcomes for endangered turtles, especially those affected by fibropapillomatosis, a debilitating viral tumour disease.

Through my Churchill Fellowship, I will investigate international best-practice rehabilitation methods for turtles with fibropapillomatosis. I plan to visit leading facilities in the United States, Maldives, and Bahamas to study quarantine design, surgical tumour removal, and post-operative care. My goal is to bring this knowledge back to Australia to help develop effective protocols, reduce euthanasia rates, and give more turtles the chance to return to the wild.

Looking ahead, I am committed to advancing marine turtle conservation by sharing findings with rehabilitators, veterinarians, and environmental groups nationwide, ensuring that Australia’s endangered turtles have the best possible chance of survival for generations to come.