Prof John Charlie Veron
Ocean Sentinel
Professor John ‘Charlie’ Veron is renowned as the 'Godfather of Coral'. He is a distinguished marine scientist who has devoted his life to exploring and documenting coral reefs worldwide. Professor Veron has made significant contributions to the field, having discovered and described 20% of all coral species on the planet. His groundbreaking research on evolution earned him the prestigious Darwin Medal. With a remarkable career, including being the first full-time researcher on the Great Barrier Reef and serving as Chief Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Professor Veron is currently working on an ambitious mission to collect and preserve 400 species of coral in a biobank.
The Ocean Sentinels sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor emphasises Professor Veron's profound connection with coral, with the design and texture resembling an almost entirely coral structure.
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Ocean Sentinels
The Ocean Sentinels is a collection of sculptures that blend human figures with natural marine forms. These sculptures represent influential Australians who have made significant contributions to marine science and conservation.
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