About MINT
Our Story
Magnetic Island Network for Turtles (MINT) formed in 2011 as a response to the mass mortality stranding event of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) which occurred along the Queensland coast following widespread flooding and Cyclone Yasi. Turtle strandings increased by 400% in the Townsville region with Magnetic Island alone recording over 100 dead or dying turtles washing ashore.
With such increased numbers, the island community was interacting with turtles more than ever before, regularly encountering dead or very sick turtles on local beaches. Many people were personally affected by this high level of mortality, and wanted to do something to help the turtles.
A small group of volunteers decided to mobilise. All turtle rehabilitation facilities in the region were full, so the volunteers created a makeshift turtle clinic at the island's Vet Clinic, gaining in-kind support from local businesses and Townsville Council.
The volunteers worked cooperatively with JCUVet School, ReefHQ and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to rehabilitate as many turtles as possible, and to empower the local community to make a difference. This was the beginning of Magnetic Island Network for Turtles.
MINT is now a formal incorporated group, undertaking practical on-ground activities for sea turtle conservation locally on Magnetic Island and within the Townsville region. Our dedicated volunteers operate across different areas of MINT to make a real difference and collect valuable data.
MINT volunteers proactively monitor sea turtle nests on Magnetic Island, taking intervention actions to help increase nesting success. MINT also supports volunteers from the Townsville area who can respond to sea turtle strandings and report local nesting activity.
MINT Turtle Clinic 2011
MINT Turtle Clinic 2025
Meet the Team
President
One of the co-founders of MINT, Jo has helped in the establishment of MINT. She has focused on creating a safe and supportive culture and clear guidance on the purpose of MINT to ensure real world sea turtle conservation outcomes. Jo greatly values the community’s commitment and interest in sea turtle conservation.
Secretary
As MINT’s Committee Secretary, Bex has supported the organisation through administration and coordination. She assists with onboarding new members, maintaining records, and ensuring operations run smoothly behind the scenes. Bex is passionate about supporting volunteers and contributing to the care, rehabilitation, and protection of sea turtles in the local community.
Treasurer
Olivia is MINT’s Treasurer, responsible for overseeing the organisation’s finances and ensuring its resources are managed effectively. She looks after budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance requirements to support day-to-day operations. Olivia is proud to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of sea turtles through her work with MINT.
Medical Team Leader
Tim has supported sea turtle conservation through rehabilitation, education, and community awareness since 2013. As Medical Team Leader at MINT, he helps guide turtle care and volunteer operations while leading development of the Turtle Information Management System (TIMS). He has also served as an active committee member since MINT incorporated in 2022.
Grants Team Leader
Paul is one of MINT’s co-founders and helped design and build the turtle rehabilitation clinic, the fourth turtle clinic he has created. A marine scientist with public aquarium experience, Paul designs, builds and maintains the systems that keep the clinic operating safely.
Communications
Traci brings decades of media, event and brand management experience to MINT Since joining the Committee in 2021 she has worked to refine MINT's branding and enjoys creating videos, posters, stickers and graphics for communications and fundraising. She oversees the MINT Facebook page and is often the first point of contact for media and public inquiries.
General Committee Members
Sydney is a Townsville-based volunteer and new general committee member at MINT. She assists the medical and special ops teams, and completes weekly husbandry shifts on the island. With a background in marine biology and scientific diving, and experience in sea turtle rehabilitation centers, she supports turtle rehabilitation, contributes scientific insight, and helps train new volunteers.
Fundraising
Leanne has been volunteering with MINT since she moved to the island 3 years ago. She has enjoyed learning the many aspects of turtle rehabilitation, from feeding turtles, pumping saltwater for their tanks, scrubbing tanks, monitoring nests, turtle strandings etc. Leanne is now focused on fundraising to ensure a steady supply of food and medicine for the turtles in care.
Operations Coordinator
Lily is the Coordinator of the MINT, overseeing rehabilitation operations, volunteer programs, and school, research and community engagement. Volunteering since 2019, she brings strong experience in turtle biology, ecology, and health, supporting informed clinical care and contributing to the conservation of local marine turtle populations.
Partners and Supporters
Magnetic Island Network for Turtles (MINT) works collaboratively with other organisations and stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for sea turtle conservation.
MINT has a long and positive collaborative working relationship with the JCU for over a decade. We have worked closely with key academic staff in the space of sea turtle health, research, rehabilitation and necropsy. Key MINT Volunteers are associated with the JCU and the JCU Turtle Health Research group.
JCUVet, based in Townsville, provides vital veterinary care for injured sea turtles, including juveniles found floating or suffering trauma. The team performs specialised assessments such as entanglement checks, CT scans, X-rays and blood analysis before patients are transferred to MINT for ongoing care, rehabilitation and eventual release where possible.
The Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MIDCA) supported MINT before incorporation, when it operated as a working group. That close relationship continues through coordinated grant applications, shared resources and a common commitment to protecting Magnetic Island’s natural environment. Together, both organisations help strengthen conservation outcomes for the island community.
Magnetic Island Ferries supports MINT by providing local ferry transport for sea turtles travelling between the mainland and Magnetic Island. This assistance helps ensure turtles can be moved safely and efficiently for assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. Their practical support plays an important role in MINT’s day-to-day rescue and care operations.
MINT works closely with QPWS rangers and wildlife officers across all activity areas. The Turtle Clinic operates under a wildlife rehabilitation permit, and MINT supports sea turtle strandings response and training in partnership with QPWS. Nest monitoring is conducted under the direction of QPWS Senior Conservation Officer Dr Ian Bell.
SeaLink supports MINT by providing local ferry transport for sea turtles travelling between the mainland and Magnetic Island. This assistance helps ensure turtles can be moved safely, efficiently and with minimal stress for assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. Their practical support is an important part of MINT’s rescue and care operations.
MINT has a long and valued relationship with Reef HQ, built over many years of shared commitment to sea turtle conservation, education and rehabilitation. Although Reef HQ is currently closed for reconstruction, the connection remains important. MINT looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration once the facility reopens and operations resume.
Over the years, MINT has been supported on a voluntary basis by local veterinarians including Dr Dhanushka Jayakody-Perera, Dr Ali Bee, Dr Katie Morgan and Dr Max Kadell. Their time, expertise and practical assistance have been critical to the operation of MINT’s turtle clinic and the care of turtles in rehabilitation.
MINT maintains a positive and ongoing relationship with the Traditional Owners of Yunbenun, the Wulgurukaba people. We seek endorsement for our activities, value cultural knowledge and encourage meaningful engagement wherever possible. This relationship reflects our commitment to respectful conservation practice and recognition of Traditional Owners’ enduring connection to Country.
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