Have Bachelor of Science, will travel

Nicci Kennedy has had more jaw-dropping, wildlife-based adventures in her 25 years than most people have in their lifetime. She’s bounced back and forth across the country and various parts of the world, working with and researching animals that many only dream about. At home, she works as a science educator and as an ecological consultant but right now she’s up in Hervey Bay for whale season and once that’s done, she’s heading across to Western Australia to work with flatback turtles. Phew! It’s exhausting just reading about it, so you can only imagine, how it was for Nicci who, throughout university and the early days of her career, suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Growing up in Bulli, Nicci developed a love for the ocean early on. “I just feel so at home in the sea,” she says.

Nicci graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Science. She’s an avid snorkeller, rock pool wanderer and amateur photographer. She’s worked with humpbacks and killer whales and has swum with whale sharks and giant cuttlefish as they congregate en masse to dance their mating dance before dying in huge numbers.

However, once you start having wildlife encounters where Sir David Attenborough would fit right in, that’s when you know you are truly living the ecologist's dream! Earlier this year, Nicci was lucky enough to witness the predation of a grey’s beaked whale. “We were actually supposed to be heading home, when four or five pods came together and around 35 individual killer whales were surging (breaking the surface at speed) in synchronisation in a massive circle.

"Slowly, the circle tightened and suddenly the grey's beaked whale popped up right next to our boat. It was a bit graphic when it was eventually taken down but it was so surreal. It felt like I was living in a documentary and I half expected David Attenborough to just helicopter in out of nowhere!”

But it hasn’t been easy, especially with the long days and nights required for field work and at some points Nicci would struggle with basic tasks such as driving for extended periods and walking up stairs. After five years of suffering, she discovered a brain-training course called the Lightning Process, where the goal is to rewire the neural pathways. Within days, Nicci says, she had markedly improved, regaining her energy.

Nicci eventually recovered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and making up for lost time is partially behind her hectic schedule these days.

“I've just felt so grateful since gaining back my health and I don't want to waste any opportunity to explore our beautiful country now that I have more of an ability to," Nicci says. "I feel so privileged to be able to work with some amazing animals, and people, in the process.”

But it’s more than that. She just exudes this passion for wildlife conservation and not just for those animals under the sea. Nicci is an ‘all creatures great and small’ kind of gal and you can add sugar gliders, quolls and the endangered greater glider to the list of species she’s worked to save.

Now, some people who work with animals do so because they’re – how do I put this politely – not at all fans of humans. But not so with Nicci. Training and educating others is one of her great loves, as is helping other people to live their best life.

“I spent some time earlier in the year working on writing my mental health story with a company called BATYR," she says.

"BATYR aims to reduce the stigma around mental health by getting real people to share their stories of mental ill health with others in the hopes it will inspire them to seek help if they need it.

"My life has completely changed since I regained my energy and if I can inspire just one person to seek help and change their lives for the better, then I think it's worth it.”

You can follow Nicci on her wildlife adventures on Instagram