Twenty-seven-year old Lee Clarke, an environmental management student at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, has just become the university's first Indigenous cadet.
Prior to university Lee had been skippering and engineering vessels for a number of years. It all started when he was eight years old and from then until his early teens he was working with his uncle on a fishing boat out of Port Stephens in New South Wales. He left school at a young age, obtained his Master Skippers Ticket from the Australian Maritime College and at age 18, he received the distinction of being Australia's youngest commercial skipper.
For the past eight years, Lee has been skippering boats in Indonesia and Thailand where he worked in the surf charter industry and was also a diving instructor.
With his love of the sea and his keen awareness of the importance of good environmental practices, he is eager to finish his degree and then go out and make a difference in the world.
The Epoch Times: What was the best thing about working in the maritime industry?
Lee Clarke: The travel, the people, the food, the culture — getting the roots of the culture.
ET: What is your motivating factor now in pursuing a career in environmental management?
LC: I've definitely seen a lot of sights, especially as a commercial fisherman. Generally, a lot of over-consumption, taking from the land and over-fishing...every aspect of either harvesting the land or the ocean was over-abused. Better environmental management strategies need to be presented and put in place…and educate people — it's a constant battle and someone needs to do it.
ET: Did your upbringing and your Aboriginal background give you a special relationship with nature?
LC: I was always brought up with a conscious awareness of the ocean. I've always been immersed; well I've been diving since I was really young…through my uncle…he was pretty amazing...my uncle has been the most influential person on my path.
ET: Whom do you admire most?
LC: The environmentalists — David Suzuki, Professor Ian Lowe, who is a leader in environmental conservation, and also Dr Thomas Schlacher, senior lecturer in marine science here at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is amazing; he is pretty well leading the forefront of marine biology and conservation and he is a top bloke.
ET: What are some important lessons you have learned over the years?
LC: Definitely many lessons, especially from my travels around the world. Coming back to the old karmic law — the law of karma — treat someone good, show them respect and it will come back to you.
ET: What are the most important things in your life?
LC: Everything — definitely health and happiness, family, girlfriend, friends. Also getting through the studies. It is a hard road, but I'm managing to get through it with good marks.
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