Congratulations to PADI Rescue Diver Amelia (Millie) Mannering from New Zealand, selected as the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Australasian Rolex Scholar for 2021!

Since 1974, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® (OWUSS) has provided firsthand experiences in underwater-related disciplines to young people considering careers in the underwater world. OWUSS awards three Scholarships annually selected from applicants in North America, Europe, and Australasia.

At just 22 years of age, Millie has already gained a great amount of experience in both theory and practical applications of marine conservation.

At 17, Millie enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Marine Science at the University of Otago, New Zealand. As she studied and learnt to scuba dive in New Zealand, her desire to protect the marine environment and its inhabitants was ignited. Millie also volunteered for the Department of Conservation on various conservation projects on predator-free islands surrounding the mainland of New Zealand.

In 2018, Millie was selected as a BLAKE Ambassador to sail on board the research schooner, Tara, from Panama to New York as part of an expedition led by the Tara Oceans Foundation. During this voyage, she worked with an international collaboration of scientists to conduct ocean biodiversity research. Greatly disturbed by the extent of plastic pollution she witnessed, her drive to protect our oceans was reinforced.

Millie has enjoyed gaining more diving experience whilst also training to obtain her Scientific Diver qualification and preparing research manuscripts for publication. She is eager to begin her journey and especially to upgrade her diving qualifications and develop her competency as a scientific diver.

The PADI team looks forward to seeing Millie’s accomplishments as OWUSS Scholar and future achievements throughout her career in marine conservation.

For more information about the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society, visit www.owuscholarship.org.

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