Phillip Island Nature Parks Welcomes New General Manager Conservation
Experienced conservation leader Shael Martin has joined Phillip Island Nature Parks as the new General Manager Conservation.
Bringing more than two decades of environmental experience to Phillip Island (Milawul), Ms Martin joins the Nature Parks following a 23-year career with the Northern Territory Government, primarily with the Parks and Wildlife Commission, and more recently with Parks Victoria in a statewide operational role.
Her career has combined conservation leadership, wildlife rehabilitation, tourism and community engagement, including nearly a decade as Director of the Territory Wildlife Park, where she oversaw animal rescue and rehabilitation programs alongside environmental education and visitor experiences.
Ahead of formally commencing, Ms Martin immersed herself in learning about the island’s iconic wildlife, particularly the little penguin and says her first weeks on Phillip Island (Milawul) had reinforced the global significance of the Nature Parks work.
“I was blown away by how tenacious and tough little penguins are, and by the remarkable story of how the Summerland Peninsula was reclaimed for the species,” she said.
She has also been struck by the role of Australian fur seals as indicators of ocean health.
“They are sentinel species in the marine ecosystem here, which brings feelings of hope and sadness when you consider what these animals are facing in the wild.”
Ms Martin said choosing a favourite species had proven difficult, but encounters with Australian fur seals, short-tailed shearwaters and little penguins had already left a strong impression.
Originally relocating to Victoria in 2022 after many years in the Northern Territory, Ms Martin said joining the Phillip Island (Milawul) community felt like a return to a familiar pace of life.
“Living in the NT was like being part of a large country town. Melbourne was wonderful, but living somewhere quieter again has definitely lowered my cortisol levels,” she said.
Looking ahead, Ms Martin hopes to strengthen conservation outcomes while deepening partnerships across the region.
“I’m excited to help continue the outstanding conservation work already underway, enrich our relationship with the Bunurong people, and contribute to a thriving visitor economy and meaningful engagement with the wider Milawul community,” she said.
Ms Martin is particularly excited by initiatives within the Nature Parks Strategy 2025–35, including building penguin resilience, expanding revegetation programs to create habitat for native wildlife, and exploring regenerative farming opportunities at Summerland Farm.
She said connecting people with nature would remain central to her approach.
“A profound lesson I learned from Indigenous colleagues in the Northern Territory is that if we love Country, Country will love us back,” Ms Martin said.
“We are not apart from nature, we are a part of it and fostering that connection is more important now than ever.”
