• The Departments
• Zoo Crew Legends

Marketing

The marketing department has the important job of getting out there and letting everyone know what an awesome place Australia Zoo is! We consider ourselves pretty darn lucky as marketers, because we know our product is the best and we are all proud to be representing Australia Zoo in the tourism market.

Our marketing office is always an exciting place to be-with media calls, advertising deadlines, press releases, trade shows, trips interstate and overseas, familiarisation tours, meetings, web site design and oh so much more! Of course one of the most gratifying parts of our job is being recognized with prestigious awards such as the most recent-2004 Australian Export Award for Accor Tourism Export and of course the big one-the Australian Tourism Award for Major Tourist Attraction 2003/2004!

The marketing team is a young, eager and dynamic bunch who are ecstatic to be working at the best place in the world!

Nat takes a break to meet a gorgeous new addition to the Zoo

Natalie

Director of Sales and Marketing

We lured Natalie away from her extensive marketing career in professional services to join our dynamic marketing team in April 2005. Nat brings a wealth of sales and marketing experience to the team, along with her contagious passion and enthusiasm! Nat is a big picture thinker and gets excited about creating new concepts, marketing strategies and plans. Blink and you’ll miss her as she’s is often out and about doing business for the Zoo or meeting with industry friends and colleagues.

And check this out - we also have our very first Olympic medalist in the Zoo Crew! Nat was a member of our very successful Australian Women's Softball team 'Aussie Spirit' that won a Silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Wooo-hoo!

Emma was born to work at Australia Zoo!

Emma

PR & Communications Manager

Emma heads up the PR and Communications team which includes all things media, advertising, promotions and events.

She has a passion for marketing and communications, and loves finding new and creative ways to tell the world about the incredible conservation work we do here at the Zoo.

She reckons she has the best job in the world - and says she was born to work at Australia Zoo (her family and mates agree whole-heartedly!)

Emma loves walking around the Zoo and chatting to the Zoo Crew who do an inspiring job protecting wildlife and their habitat every day.

She says the biggest surprise so far has been how much she loves snakes!

If not typing madly on her laptop, or brainstorming new ideas with her team, she can be found wandering the Zoo with an eye out for a story...

Kylie relaxes in Roo Heaven

Kylie

Marketing and Communications Assistant

Kylie joined Australia Zoo's awesome PR and Communications team in June 2008, after moving to the Sunshine Coast from Central Queensland, and thinks she has the best job in the Zoo - writing about and promoting all the new and exciting things going on!

With a Marketing degree under her belt, and experience in advertising, sponsorship and events, Kylie took up the position in Public Relations, and believes she has found her calling.

No two days are the same at the Zoo - whether she's writing media releases, hosting a film crew or getting hands-on learning all about the gorgeous animals that call Australia Zoo home, Kylie thrives on communicating the conservation messages about how everyone can be involved in protecting our wildlife.

Kylie loves the Zoo's gorgeous elephant girls, and rates walking past the koalas on the way to work and having one of the awesome roving animals wondering through the office among the highlights of her day.

Wayne's impressed by the size of Australia Zoo's attractions

Wayne

Business Development Manager

Wayne is a very proud husband to Andrea and father of two young boys. He lives and breathes for his family and his work (in that order). Wayne is very well known within the tourism industry for his passion and energetic approach. He has been lucky enough to have a very colourful 15 year career with key Australian and International tourism products.

Wayne's marketing career includes nine years with the Warner Bros. / Village Roadshow Theme Parks group on the Gold Coast followed by two years with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (based in Sydney selling the USA based theme parks and resorts) and most recently four years with QR (Queensland Rail) who operate the largest range of great Australian train journeys.

Wayne's strength is his strong and successful working relationship with all of the key wholesale and retail companies within the Australian and International Travel & Tourism Industry.

Look out for Lyn in the Crikey Corolla!

Lyn

External Promotions

Lyn joined Australia Zoo in October 2008. She came to the Zoo from Australian Media and entertainment giant, Village Road Show where she looked after the merchandise and promotional aspects for many years within their Entertainment Division.

Lyn is very proud of her decision to swap the CBD concrete jungles for the trees & wild life of the Sunshine Coast.

The majority of Lyn's time will be enjoyed on the road promoting Australia Zoo's exciting events which all help fund great wildlife conservation efforts not just in Australia but all around the world.

You simply can't miss her driving around in the Crikey Corolla. If you see her around make sure you give her a wave.

Lyn has always had a passion for nature and wildlife and enjoys her daily contact with any of the 1000+ animals at Australia Zoo. Her favourite animals are Elephants, Tigers, Crocs, Koalas, Macaws...and the list goes on!

Nicole discusses the importance of sales with George the llama on Australia Day

Nicole

Sales Assistant

Nicole began working at Australia Zoo way back in November 2003. Originally starting in the Croc Lair gift shop, Nicole then spent 2 years working in Australiana and is now located in Marketing. She has also spent time in photography, at the Tiger Cart, in the Crocoseum boutique and helping out with "croc hosting" in the Crocoseum. With such a diverse range of job opportunities for Nicole here at the Zoo, you can rest assured that she is never bored and absolutely loves her job almost as much as her favourite animal - Lily, our massive Reticulated Python!

Michelle meets one of our gorgeous baby American Alligators

Michelle

Sales Support Executive

Michelle joined the Zoo Crew in November 2008, taking on a newly created sales support role, which will see her getting out and about and spreading the word about all the awesome things to do at Australia Zoo.

Growing up on the Sunshine Coast and having travelled the world and worked in the tourism industry for over 8 years, Michelle is excited to be home and sharing her knowledge in one of the world's leading tourism destinations.

As Michelle enjoys travelling and learning new things, she will be kept very busy learning all there is to know about Australia Zoo, its animals and the rest of the Zoo Crew. When not at the zoo Michelle loves to visit friends and family or just relax by the beach.

Jess loves to hang-out with all the amazing animals at the Zoo, especially our gorgeous Green Iguana!

Jessica

Events Co-ordinator

In 2007 Jessica was lured from New South Wales to sunny Queensland where she studied Event Management after working for 2 years as a pre- school teacher in Coffs Harbour. In August 2008 she made Australia Zoo her home - jumping into the always exciting marketing team. She knows that her experience with children will help channel our events team into creating an awesome, educational family experience for our patrons to enjoy!

Jess loves our colourful birds at the Zoo and cannot wait for Madagascar Island to open up! She is super excited to join the Australia Zoo Crew - a group of people who are as enthusiastic as she is about animals and conservation!

Jess is an asset to our marketing team, with lots of enthusiasm and a constant smile she adds an awesome energy to the team! When she isn't busy inside the Zoo grounds, Jess loves getting active! She especially loves the beach and getting outdoors. In the future, Jess would like travel the world in search of beautiful shoes to add to her ever expanding collection. Don’t forget to give Jess a big smile and say hello if you spot her out & about in the Zoo!

Craig gets up close to a gorgeous White Rhino's here at the Zoo.

Craig

Business Development Manager (Domestic)

Craig joined Australia Zoo's marketing team in 2008, and loves working for Queensland's number 1 Major Tourist Attraction.

Craig's career has taken him from California to Ayers Rock, London to Brisbane, and now to the beautiful Sunshine Coast. His 14 year career has included working with major attractions and hotels/resorts including Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, Radisson Edwardian Hotels, Voyages Resorts and Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.

Craig works with all Australia Zoo ticket sellers throughout this great nation to ensure customers can purchase their Australia Zoo tickets conveniently. When not increasing awareness of Australia Zoo, Craig can be found on the go walking our bonzer ticket sellers through the zoo and educating them on our amazing animals.

Craig's favourite animals at Australia Zoo include "Swazi" the Southern White Rhinoceros (pictured), our Asian Elephant 'Bimbo', 'Kirra' the Dingo, 'Bashii' the beautiful Sumatran Tiger, and 'Acco' the Saltwater Crocodile.

For R&R away from Australia Zoo, Craig loves nothing more than to spend time with his drop-dead gorgeous fiancée, family and friends.

Dave chats with one of our baby alligators about the next big event at the Zoo

Dave

Event Coordinator

Dave pounced on Australia Zoo in 2008 and kicked off his time here in the Marketing department wrestling with idea’s on how to make our events here at Australia Zoo even more Bonzer! Dave has come from working in the wedding industry where he refined his skills to become a Fair dinkum Event Coordinator.

He studied Business Management with a major in Events at MartinCollege which launched his passion for the full on events industry.

Dave is a real Larrikin who loves to entertain his friends and family. Dave has been in the entertainment industry since he was a little tacker, traveling around Australia performing for children all over Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Dave’s day at Australia Zoo entails - Hanging out in the office, booking in entertainment and coming up with ideas for our next events!

He has always loved Australia Zoo and is excited about the new developments and events that the Zoo has installed for the near future!

Dave is a big fan of Rugby League and also loves to play his guitar.

Belinda gets up-close to one of Australia Zoo's echidnas!

Belinda

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Belinda jumped on board the Australia Zoo marketing team in July 2008, taking on the busy and exciting role of looking after the Zoo's advertising and promotions. Coming from a background in property marketing, Belinda enjoys the new and exciting environment of Australia Zoo. Stepping outside her office to get up close with all of the awesome animals - especially the spiky little echidnas - is the highlight of her day.

In her down time Belinda loves to spend time with her family and watch a game or seven of Rugby League.

Fan mail Jan

Jan

Fan mail

Hi there Crocodile Hunter fans! If you have written a letter to the Irwin's in the past then I'm the person who passes your message onto them. My name is Jan and I am Australia Zoo's International Correspondent.

I started at Australia Zoo in 1993 as an Animal Keeper, but I left several years later to give birth to my two children, Liam and Holly. When I returned to Australia Zoo, I took on the interesting role of responding to the vast amount of fan mail that the Irwin Family gets. On average, they can receive up to 600 letters per month - around 150 letters per week.

I really enjoy responding to your letters on behalf of the Irwin's because it gives us the opportunity to thank you personally for the loyal support you have shown the entire Australia Zoo team over the years. It is only with your feedback that we can learn how to improve and grow.

The Departments

Initially a small family business, the expansion of Australia Zoo has seen the Irwin family employing hundreds of energetic people with a variety of skills.

With thousands of visitors from all over the world passing through the gates daily, all team members understand the importance of making a lasting impression to our patrons. A job at Australia Zoo is more than a vocation, it's a lifestyle - just ask any of our team members. Australia Zoo employees love animals and conservation, have an exceptional self-drive attitude towards work and of course, wear the world famous khaki uniforms with pride! You just have to walk around the Zoo to feel the electricity in the air. The atmosphere creates an exciting experience for all visitors and a dream workplace environment for all employees.