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New Name, New Look28 Aug 2009

The Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Inc, had decided to return to its original trading name, the Dolphin Discovery Centre (DDC).  The original trading name, has been jazzed up with a new brand, something modern, sleek and fresh. 

The DDC’s General Manager, Jodie Mott said “we are hoping that the return to our original name, combined with a more modern brand image will give us the boost we are looking for, and enable us to relaunch the Centre to the local, domestic and international markets”.

In addition to the new brand, the DDC is in the process of rolling out new promotional materials including posters, brochures, and display banners.  Ms Mott added “we have timed the roll out of our new promotional materials to tie in with the opening of the Forrest Highway and the launch of our busy Summer season.  In addition to promotional materials, local accommodation operators are being encouraged to sell tickets to the Centre in an effort to encourage more visitors, and hopefully increase their length of stay in Bunbury”.

As the new brand in launched, progress on the redevelopment of the Centre continues with the appointment of local architectural firm mcg architects as the successful tender.  Michel Greenhalgh, Director, mcg architects said he “was thrilled with the appointment and was looking forward to working with DDC’s Board and Management in the design of the new look Centre”. 

“In total 32 tender enquiries were received and the standard of tender applications was very high” said DDC General Manager, Jodie Mott.  “The Planning Committee certainly had their work cut out for them in narrowing down the field, and then finally awarding the contract.  We are very pleased that the successful bid went to a local company, and look forward to commencing the design process”.

The DDC is hoping to commence building late 2010, and in the meantime has undertaken a minor refurbishment of the Centre and is looking forward to adding new displays over the coming months.

Contact Name: Jodie Mott
Contact Phone: 08 9791 3088
Contact Email: gm@dolphindiscovery.com.au
Contact Website: http://www.dolphindiscovery.com.au


Bumper Baby Season In The Bay18 Jul 2009

It’s official…. last summer’s dolphin breeding season has been described by the Dolphin Discovery Centre’s research team “as the most successful since monitoring began” advised Miss Jodie Mott, General Manager.

“This season has been the best in recent times in terms of new calves being born in the bay and surrounding waters with 17 new calves being observed between December last year and as late as May this year” said Miss Holly Smith, PhD Candidate with the South West Marine Research Program (a joint initiative between the Dolphin Discovery Centre, Murdoch University, and Industry Partners).  She went on to say that “to date all calves have been resighted alive and growing rapidly through the winter”. 

Whilst the calves are enjoying socialising, often keeping each other company and playing together, the Mum’s are kept busy with the more serious activities such as foraging for fish.  These new calves will be dependent upon their mothers for milk for the next two years or so before venturing off to form their own groups with juveniles of the same age.  “It’s an exciting time for the dolphin population and we hope that all these calves survive to be recruited into the adult population” said Miss Smith.

Dolphin Discovery Centre Marine Biologist Mr Phil Coulthard said “the Bay may well be one of the most critical habitats for Bottlenose Dolphins on the West Coast.  Although we are uncertain why Koombana Bay appears to be so popular with the dolphins, it does offer attributes that provide an outstanding environment for their socialising, resting, mating and feeding behaviours”. 

Mr Coulthard went on to outline the favourable Koombana Bay environment conditions which included:-

Physical protection:  because the Bay is north facing, protection from the trade winds and swells offer relatively calm conditions all year round.

Shallow water:  detection of predators using echolocation is very effective in shallow water leaving the chance of ambush from a deep water attack (by sharks!) to be minimal.

Plenty of food:  productivity from the Leschenault Estuary connected to the Bay provides plenty of food for smaller fish that dolphins love to eat such as whiting and herring.

Warm water:  during the late summer, the warmth of the shallow water in the Bay helps the calves who have a vey thin insulation (blubber) layer when first born to stay warm. 

Last week dolphins were sighted from the Dolphin Discovery Centre every day, including a recorded 15 dolphin visits to our famous ‘Interaction Zone’ said Jodie Mott, General Manager of the Dolphin Discovery Centre. 

The Dolphin Discovery Centre is Australia’s Premier Dolphin Experience offering four levels of interaction including: Interpretive Centre and Theatre, Interaction Zone, Dolphin Eco Cruises, Dolphin Swim Encounters.

Contact Name: Jodie Mott
Contact Phone: 08 9791 3088
Contact Email: gm@dolphindiscovery.com.au
Contact Website: http://www.dolphindiscovery.com.au


Dolphin Eco-cruises Go Daily18 Jul 2009

The Bunbury Dolphin Discovery is pleased to announce DAILY dolphin cruises effective immediately.

Visitors to the South West can now participate in the opportunity to view the dolphin population in Koombana Bay year round.  Departing at eleven am each morning and cruising for an hour to an hour and a half visitors can relax aboard the purpose built ‘Dolphin Dancer II’.  This stable catamaran features a large undercover area, a huge deck, and 360 degree viewing opportunities making it the ideal choice for dolphin interaction.

“Over the past year we closed throughout the Winter months however, due to visitor demand, we have decided to again launch daily departures” said Jodie Mott, General Manager, Bunbury Dolphin Discovery.

She went on to say that “Although the past few days hasn’t been indicative, the weather so far this Winter has been fantastic and visitor numbers are still strong through the Centre.“

With the opening of the John Forrest Highway early August, the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery, and Bunbury Dolphin Tours (owners of the dolphin eco cruise), plan to capitalise on the opportunity to attract visitors to Bunbury either on their way to, or from, the Margaret River and other destinations in the South West.

Bunbury Dolphin Tours was recently sold by Steve & Terri Mitchell to well known local residents Michael Dawson and Mick Cross.  Jodie Mott said “the Centre has worked for many years with the Mitchell’s and together developed a well renowned eco friendly product.  We wish them all the success for the future”.   

New owner of Bunbury Dolphin Tours, Mike Dawson said “We have purchased a fantastic product which has an excellent reputation so we don’t plan on changing anything except adding a few more departures”.

Contact Name: Jodie Mott
Contact Phone: 08 9791 3088
Contact Email: gm@dolphindiscovery.com.au
Contact Website: http://www.dolphindiscovery.com.au


Dolphins Share In Tourism Awards09 Jan 2009
Cartoon compliments of BUNBURY MAIL


Dolphin Centre Steals The Show At Awards09 Jan 2009

THE Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre scooped the pool at the West Australian Tourism awards in early December for the second year running .

Centre Operations Manager Phil Coulthard was recognised for his efforts and named winner of the prestigious FACET Golden Guide Award.

The Centre was awarded a silver medal for Eco Tourism and a bronze medal in the Major Tourist Attraction category which it previously won gold for in 2007.

Mr Coulthard said they were thrilled with the outcome of the awards night and he was pretty excited about his own achievement for which he was a finalist in 2007.

“The award is a benchmark for tour guides and an incentive to excel at what you do,” he said. “It’s like the tour guide Brownlow for Western Australia.”

Mr Coulthard, a Marine Biologist, hosts the popular dolphin swim tours and is the coordinator of tourism activities, conservation programs and education programs at the Centre.

He has been working at the Centre since 2001.

Article compliments of BUNBURY MAIL

PHOTO: The Dolphin Discovery Centre won a host of awards at the West Australian Tourism awards including Operations Manager Phil Coulthard who was named winner of the FACET Golden Guide award. Picture: Lee-Maree Gallo.

Contact Phone: +61 8 9791 3088


Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Partners19 Jan 2008

The 2008 Partnership Program is in full swing.  Bunbury Dolphin Discovery is receiving fantastic support from a number of local businesses.  The partnership is assisting our organisation to deliver a better experience.  Please support the following businesses wherever you can:

Australind Mitre 10                            Kroon Legal

Strategen                                           Firey Productions

South Western Times                          Sanctuary Golf Resort

Jetset Travel                                     Lighthouse Beach Resort

Express Print                                      Bunbury City Glass

For more information click the following to go to our supporters page:  http://dolphins.mysouthwest.com.au/Links/Sponsors


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