Seahorse Australia
The Animals
Meet the team.
Craig Hawkins
Owner & Managing Director,
MSc (Plant Science)
After 15 years working as a professional forester in NSW and Tasmania in both private and government positions, Craig moved over to seahorse farming and tourism following the purchase of the business with his wife Rachelle. His main roles include overall responsibility for the efficient running of the business and successful integration of its production and tourism elements. Craig has designed and installed many of the aquaculture systems operating at Seahorse World and also drives general improvements and upgrades of the tourism experience.
Rachelle Hawkins
Owner & Director Exports and Fish Production – BSc, Grad. Dip. App. Sc. (Aquaculture)
Rachelle is the original Head Biologist of the seahorse farm and has worked with the organisation since inception. Now an owner of Seahorse World, she has worked through the many trials and challenges of the early days as the business researched the best production methods for seahorses. With a growing export market, Rachelle also organises the detailed paperwork and logistics for sending these endangered animals around the globe with United Nations CITES guidelines and balances all this with the responsibilities of raising 6 young children.
Fraser Murray
Tourism Operations Coordinator
Fraser is a Tassie boy who has also worked interstate and overseas. He has an extensive knowledge of the Tasmanian natural environment having been an environmental planner, a mountain guide, river guide and a Senior Guide at Bay of Fires Lodge. He has co-ordinated a youth outdoor program in the Scottish Highlands, and been involved in aid work in Eastern Europe and Asia. Previously a training officer in the defence force, he moved to Beauty Point to raise his family around its wonderful marine environment. He is also a passionate musician and has performed internationally on the bagpipes. Fraser co-ordinates tourism activities at Seahorse World and trusts you enjoy your 45 minute guided experience with one of our outstanding guides.
Ben Robinson
Aquarium Manager, BSc (Marine Biology)
Growing up in Tasmania, Ben’s passion for diving and the marine environment led him north to study marine biology at James Cook University, Townsville. Ben has since lived and worked in Diving Resorts and liveaboard vessels in Vanuatu, Fiji and Indonesia, attracted to places that focus on striking a balance of high-end customer-focused tourism and sustainable environmental practices. Inspired by the famous Japanese Aquarist, Takashi Amano, Ben had kept aquariums since he was young with a specific interest in temperate species. Responsible for the daily upkeep of the Seahorse world Aquariums, Ben also enjoys sharing his passion for marine life with our guests and school groups.
Cheo Seng Kong (Tommy)
Aquarium-Technician & Tour Guide – Msc (Marine Environment), Grad. Dip. App. Sc. (Aquaculture)
Tommy is a passionate diver and student of the marine environment. Originally from Malaysia, he has studied at the University of Tasmania and in between studies, assists in the Seahorse World farm and aquarium. He won first place in a fishing industry competition in 2015 for his design of a “Nagging Siren” to keep seals away from trawl nets. Tommy also conducts tours at Seahorse World including Mandarin tours for our Chinese visitors.
James McMurtrie
Maintenance Officer
A former member of the Royal Navy and captain in the Australian Army, ‘Mack’ has been employed in many industries over the years. He worked for the Australian Government on agricultural projects in Libya under General Gadafi and on other projects around the world. James was also a body guard to the Queen Mother but moved to quiet little Beauty Point to settle down. He now heads up the Seahorse World maintenance program and OH&S responsibilities as well as being involved in seahorse husbandry work.
Lani Kittel
Tour Guide, Tourism Team Leader
Originally employed as a tour guide, Lani has also worked as an aquarium technician but is now one of our tourism team leaders. Lani drives the gift shop at Seahorse World which is often remarked on by our guests as one of the most unique tourism gift shops in the state. Her dedication to Seahorse World and love for the animals is experienced by guests on her tours.
Tegan Blackwell
Tour Guide, Cert 3 Captive Animal Husbandry
Tegan is an experienced Seahorse World aquarium technician and tour guide working with the attraction since 2007. She has likely taken more tours at Seahorse World than any other guide. A passionate show jumping rider, Tegan has taken some convincing not to try riding the seahorses.
Kuan Nee Lim
Tour Guide, Msc (Marine Environment)
Kuan is a Seahorse World work horse being an extremely diligent technician in both production and tourism components of the business. After completing a Masters degree in Science at the University of Tasmania, Kuan was employed by Seahorse World in 2013. Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay and English, Kuan is also an invaluable addition to our tour guide team and a favourite of some of our group tour companies.
Jesse Chippindall
Tour Guide
Jesse is a born and bred Beauty Point lad who has grown up with a passion for local marine life, fishing and sailing. He is an experienced tour guide both at Seahorse World and in other tourism operations and applies his brilliant thespian skills to his fishy interests to provide a wonderful tour experience for our visitors. Jesse also loves his coffee and music and adds great colour to the team here at Seahorse World.
Gabi Horton
Tour Guide
Gabi is another Beauty Point local and one of our younger guides who works with us around her schooling at Exeter High School. She is a prize winning chicken breeder so perhaps in the future we might be able to take advantage of that special touch with animals. All of our guests will love being with the delightful Gabi as she takes you on a tour of discovery into the secret world of seahorses.