About Us

We are the forerunners of reef restoration on the Great Barrier Reef.

We are a grassroots organisation with a vision to create a vibrant future for the Great Barrier Reef amid a changing climate.

Our mission is to build reef resilience at the places we love and to inspire and invigorate communities to take action now.

We’re run by a team of action-oriented, fully qualified and optimistic individuals who care deeply about the Great Barrier Reef. Through our Reef Recovery and Community Outreach Programs, we innovate, collaborate, and scientifically validate. We bring communities with us on the journey.

But we can’t do it alone; we need your support and help!

Our mission relies solely on community support for resources and labour to assist reef recovery at key sites that support biodiversity, our passions and our economies.

If you’re an ocean enthusiast or someone who wants to contribute to the longevity of the planet’s most magnificent marine ecosystem,

Come this way

Who’s Involved

Dedicated In-house Team

Cultivating the best outcomes for Reef Recovery & Community Outreach.

Inspired Volunteers

Giving their time to something they care about.

Globally Recognised Board Members

Our board members are renowned leaders in their professional fields.

Tourism Partners, Business Sponsors & a Sea of Individual Donors

Deeply passionate about supporting the Great Barrier Reef.

Our Story So Far

The Great Barrier Reef Turns White

February 2016

Mass coral bleaching occurs in the northern third of the Great Barrier Reef. Rainfall from Category 5 Cyclone Winston, contained the geographical extent of the impact by moderating conditions.

Inspiration Strikes

March 2016

After re-growing cut corals in a small tank, a Cairns-based marine aquarium hobbyist thinks to replicate the concept at sea.

Second Mass Bleaching Event

April – May 2017

This time, in the middle third of the Great Barrier Reef, followed by Category 5 Cyclone Debbie. This prompted the rules to be changed enabling reef restoration in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Permission Granted

October – December, 2017

Reef Restoration Foundation secured the first ever permit on 13 October 2017 and installed the first ever coral nursery on the Great Barrier Reef at Fitzroy Island on 7 December 2017.

Multiple Nurseries Created

Today

Coral nurseries are in operation at Fitzroy Island, Hastings Reef and Moore Reef. A full time team oversees an increasingly sophisticated operation.

Meet Our Partners

We’re supported by a global network of individual donors, businesses and Marine Tourism partners who are passionate about our vision.

We are involved with Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub, the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, and we are Network Members of Reef Renewal International.

Eager to get involved and support a collective Reef Recovery vision?

Marine Tourism Partners

Meet Our Supporters

Collaboration, innovation, and continual improvement sits at the core of what we do and drives us to offer a safe, fun, and rewarding experience for all involved.

These businesses and organisations support our Reef Recovery endeavours–with many being on board since we began.

There’s room for you to become one of our supporters today!

Discover How

Current Supporters

Foundation Supporters

Karmagawa Foundation

Ochre Nation

The Lekker Company

Helium Six

10% for the Ocean

Ozean

Our Board

Rob Giason

Chair

Rob has over 40 years tourism experience as the CEO for destination marketing organisations. Rob’s extensive network ensures we don’t miss opportunities. He’s also an expert in corporate governance and the strategic function of boards.

Elmarie Gebler

Elmarie has a background in organisational psychology and commerce. She specialises in business diagnostics, growth and strategic thinking, which keeps the board functioning at a very high level. Elmarie continues to foster excellence amongst our team and all that we do.

Stewart Christie

Stewart was our inaugural CEO who converted an idea to reality. It was his deft handling of the organisation in the difficult early stages that gave us our springboard to where we are today. He is probably the original ‘Reef Recovery Champion!

Dr Katie Chartrand

Katie is our science specialist and has forged strong alliances across multiple active reef conservation initiatives. Katie brings the broader reef action perspective to our boardroom and ensures that decision making stands up to scientific rigour.

Michael Wilson

Treasurer

Michael has a corporate advisory background and provides clients with tailored business advice. He is our money man and ensures we are heading in the right direction from a financial perspective.

Our In-House Team

Ryan Donnelly

Chief Executive Officer

Ryan brings about 25 years involvement with coral reefs across research, conservation, and management; and reef related business and industry. His broad experience, extensive network and pragmatic approach guides tactical implementation of our strategic plan on behalf of our Board.

Cameron Bee

Reef Recovery Program Leader

Cameron grew up in various parts of southeast Asia and lived in the Pacific Islands. For the past 25 years he has grown corals in mariculture and shore-based facilities for the international Marine Aquarium Trade. He also secured Australia’s first ever coral mariculture permit in 2001. Cameron’s extensive knowledge and experience are a great asset to building a professional operation.

Hannah Kish

Program Leader – Science & Outreach

Hannah is a Marine Biologist who joined our team in March 2019. Originally from Michigan, USA she has accrued extensive reef restoration experience in the Florida Keys, Maldives and Madagascar. She loves educating and inspiring our community around the science-based actions available for restoring the Great Barrier Reef.

Azri Saparwan

Program Leader – Operations

Azri is a Marine Biologist who joined us prior to the installation of our first nursery in late 2017. As a Master Reef Guide he brings reef restoration experience from Singapore, Indonesia, Maldives and Okinawa in Japan. His experience is well beyond his years and we’re proud to have him as part of the family at our R&D site at Fitzroy Island.

Ros Perić

Digital Marketing

As our digital marketing expert, Ros produces stunning photographic and video content from the field to share through our social media channels. She’s a fine artist and community volunteer who’s deeply connected to our vision and mission.

We are the forerunners of reef restoration on the Great Barrier Reef.