Churchill Fellows set to explore potential of saline agriculture; help green sea turtles overcome disease

Under the mentorship of the University’s halophyte expert Professor Bronwyn Barkla, Matt’s proposal so impressed the Churchill Trust that he was also selected for the Saskia Beer Churchill Fellowship. This award, personally supported by Colin and Maggie Beer and named in honour of their late daughter, aims to encourage innovation and new knowledge in food production. This endorsement underlines the potential impact of Matt’s work on global food security.  

“I am honoured to be selected by Maggie and Colin Beer, and mindful that this Fellowship honours the memory of their late daughter Saskia. I hope my work contributes meaningfully to her legacy,” said Matt. 

“Across the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia, large-scale halophyte production systems are being implemented to address challenges of salinity and water scarcity. These initiatives offer valuable models that can inform how Australia adapts its agricultural practices to manage rising salinity and diminishing freshwater resources. 

“This Fellowship provides an opportunity to engage with international expertise in saline agriculture, spanning scientific advances, applied agronomic practices, and commercial models. The insights gained will directly contribute to developing climate-resilient food systems in Australia and to advancing the sustainable utilisation of salt-affected landscapes.” 

A childhood fascination with the ocean has seen Amanda Philp dive into a lifelong pursuit of marine biology. With a Bachelor of Marine Science and Management from Southern Cross University under her belt and now studying a Masters by Research, Amanda is the Assistant General Manager and Head Biologist at the Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue on the NSW North Coast. In 2021she was named the Tweed Shire Council Citizen of the Year for her volunteer contributions to wildlife rescue. 

Amanda’s Churchill Fellowship research focuses on fibropapillomatosis (fibropap, for short) in green sea turtles – a viral tumour disease that can impact a sea turtle’s ability to swim, see, feed, and survive in the wild – and ways to effectively rehabilitate afflicted animals. Amanda will visit leading rehabilitation facilities in the United States, Maldives, and Bahamas to study quarantine design, surgical tumour removal, and postoperative care. Her goal is to adapt global best practice for Australian conditions, reducing euthanasia rates and giving more turtles the chance to return to the ocean.  

“I’m very excited to be a Churchill Fellow to pursue a solution to this horrible tumour disease affecting our green sea turtles,” said Amanda. 

“I am committed to advancing marine turtle conservation by sharing findings with rehabilitators, veterinarians, and environmental groups nationwide, ensuring that Australia’s endangered turtles have the best possible chance of survival for generations to come,” said Amanda. 

In recent years Churchill Fellowships have been awarded to Southern Cross University alumni Erin Dolan, Jacob Birch and Michela Mitchell. 

The first Churchill Fellowships were awarded 60 years ago in honour of British Prime Minister and statesman Sir Winston Churchill.