Introducing our Amazing Speakers for next week's event
This event celebrates people who are leading the way in urgent wildlife research and conservation, securing the future of our Australian native wildlife.
Candice Dixon, Television Host & Koala Champion
Candice Dixon is an Australian television host and advocate for wildlife. Prior to working with wildlife, Candice hosted the Seven Network’s Saturday Disney where she travelled the world to present and produce entertainment and lifestyle segments and has interviewed celebrities including Hugh Jackman, Ben Stiller, Rebel Wilson, Ricky Gervais and Margot Robbie.
Candice is currently reporting for the Seven Network’s travel show Sydney Weekender while balancing her work with wildlife as Currumbin Wildlife Hospital’s Social Media & Content Producer, giving her the chance to provide a voice for Australian animals at one of the world’s busiest wildlife hospitals. Candice’s international media experience and her role as a Channel 7 presenter over the past decade has been extremely beneficial as she has been able to encourage many media personalities to get involved and raise awareness for Australian wildlife.
Jayme Cuttriss CEO, National Trust of Australia (QLD)
Jayme Cuttriss is an inspiration to women in business, as the CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Queensland) she is one to be admired and respected. Jayme has faced significant challenges in the face of the pandemic, approaching them with a calm, considered and positive attitude.
Jayme’s experience in hospitality began with Sofitel Luxury Hotels in Melbourne and led her to the Gold Coast as Director of Sales & Marketing for InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, before stepping into the role of General Manager of Marketing and Sales for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS).
Jayme has introduced a modern era for CWS with the introduction of augmented reality, the start of e-based platforms (including e-tickets and ticketing software’s) and the release of its first CWS App to include first of its kind digital maps, in-park notifications and more to enhance visitor experiences.
Dr Michael Pyne, Senior Veterinarian and General Manager of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
Dr Pyne started at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital in 2000 and has dedicated the past 20 years to protecting Australian native wildlife. In 2019, Dr Pyne won the City of Gold Coast Australia Day Environmental Achievement Award.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world, admitting almost 14,000 wildlife animals per year – a service that is provided free of charge to the community. Led by Dr Pyne, his team work tirelessly to treat sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife for release back into the wild.
Dr Pyne is leading the way in urgent koala research and working hard to prevent the imminent localised extinction of the koala. Dr Pyne has been treating koalas for more than twenty years and believes prevention is better than cure. His vision is that through Community education and vital research projects, less animals will require hospitalisation and there will be a brighter future for our native wildlife.
Sarah Eccleston – Koala Specialist, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Sarah Eccleston is a koala specialist and author by day and a Koala foster Mum by night. She quite literally lives and breathes koalas 24/7, her roommate is a cute Koala joey ‘Bunji’ whom she is rearing alongside her own offspring. By day, Sarah shares the joy of cuddling koalas and educates the community on how we can protect our Australian icon.
Sarah is also a published author of ‘Have You Seen a Tree for Me?’ This children’s book aims to raise awareness about the serious plight of koalas and educate the next generation about habitat loss and the ways to help protect them for the future.
Have You Seen a Tree for Me?
