Neville Coleman was born near the shores of the Lane Cove River in Sydney. As he grew up, fishing became his all-consuming passion: at ten years of age his most ardent aspirations were to become an explorer.
On leaving school he completed an apprenticeship in Photo-lithography, but in 1963 his life reached a major turning point when, drawn by a love of nature and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge he set about to beat his greatest fear - the ocean and it's inhabitants - and began spending his spare time diving in Sydney Harbour.
His urge to discover, and the unknown challenge of the sea, eventually led to exploration on a larger scale. In 1969, after two years of preparation, he conducted the Australian Coastal Marine Expedition: a total of almost four years travelling 64,000 kilometers around the Australian coast, observing, recording, photographing and collecting many thousands of marine creatures for Australian museums.
Most people who knew of the undertaking felt there was little chance of his getting back alive, let alone achieving the expedition's projected aims. In March 1969 he set off unfinanced, unsupported, unknown, under - manned and unlikely to succeed. However, succeed he did.
It was to be the first underwater photographic fauna survey
of an entire continent ever attempted in the world.
Since 1973 , Neville has cross-referenced approximately 100,000 transparencies with specimens of animals and plants donated to Australian Museums. Following the Australian Coastal Marine Expedition, over 160 minor expeditions have been carried out in global waters (from the Seychelles to the British West Indies and Japan, south to New Zealand.
Logging over 14,000 dives - and discovering over 450 species new to science, Nevilles photographs are on display at most major museums and aquariums in Australia. The Australasian
Marine Photographic Index of which he is curator, is the largest scientifically-curated visual identification system in the Southern hemisphere with over 11,500 species photographed and cataloged.
In July 1980, London ATV flew Neville to Papua New Guinea for a 30-minute documentary in their "Nature Watch" series. This was eventually shown throughout Europe, USA, and in New Zealand with excellent reviews and proved to be one of the most popular in the series.
A.B.C.'s "Big Country" programme also discovered Neville's work at Lord Howe Island. "Akin to the Sea" also proved to be very popular and has since been reshown on A.B.C television in "The Best of a Big Country".
Early in 1985 Mike Willesee's "Trans Media Production" for Channel Nine Television produced a 1 hour documentary entitled "Sink or Swim" In this programme Neville introduces young institutionalised Australians to the wonders of the underwater world. In an effort to instill a positive side of life with his own personal philosophy of turning people on to nature. Neville explains how understanding the natural values of life can be one of the most rewarding methods of rehabilitation for body soul and spirit.
Author of some 65 books, Neville has written and illustrated more 4 colour underwater education natural history books than any other single person in the western world, and as such, is the most successful writer on marine life in Australian history. His articles have been carried by over 150 magazines with photographs being reproduced by the "National Geographic Society", "Time Life". and "Readers Digest".
Neville is a fascinating and colourful individual with tremendous passion for life. He has an infectious enthusiasm for his work and has developed - through his experiences and knowledge - a confident understanding of the "dangers" involved.
As the first full time professional freelance underwater naturalist/photographer managing to exist in Australia, Neville and his work are part of the pioneering spirit this country was built on.
Neville lectures regularly throughout the world on underwater marine biology and conservation and is certified to teach Australian instruction agencies in Marine Biology and Underwater Photography Courses. His "Education through Entertainment" audio visual programmes, have been enjoyed by many thousands of people at over 300 world wide venues.
Neville has been a keynote speaker at the First and Second International Dolphin and Whale
Conferences. His "Nature Watch" television programme is shown on National Geographic's
Explorer Series in 1996 and has been repeated several times reaching over 40,000,000 Americans. His lecture programmes in the USA are highly successful and include conferences such as S.E.A.S, MACNA, "Our World Underwater" and Shedd Aquarium (Chicago)
In 1991 Neville was awarded a number of prestigious honours including the Banksia Environmental Foundation's Marine and Waterways Award for his Australian Marine Photographic Index, and the Diving Industry and Travel Association of Australia's Scuba Excellence Award for his contribution to underwater education.
He also received an Honorary Fellowship from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. He is the first professional underwater photographer in Australian history to win the highest commendations from both the Australian Photographic Society and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography.
In 1994 "Brownies Coastwatch" (Channel 7 Brisbane) hosted Neville as Marine Environmental Presenter on their weekly programmes.
Vitally concerned with the aquatic environment and its conservation, Neville continues his exploration and discovery giving regular presentations to groups such as the Royal Geographic Society Explorer's Club. His appointment eight years previous to "Project AWARE" BOARD OF GOVERNORS is especially significant in his role as an evironmental educator.
By taking the dreams of a ten year old and making them come true, Neville has already achieved more than most. Out of a world of total fear, a little boy who didn't have a hero, built one. The boy built the man, together they explore the oceans unknown and share it's secrets with humanity.
SOME OF NEVILLE COLEMAN'S EXPEDITIONS
CONFERENCES/PRESENTATIONS
SKILL DEVELOPMENT UNDERWATER NATURALIST MARINE LIFE ID DIVE COURSES
1994
06/94 - FIJI ISLANDS Beqa Lagoon
Marine Life Fauna Survey - Presentation at Suva for Fiji Islands Dive Festival in aid of recompression chamber for the islands.
08/94 FIJI ISLANDS Beqa Lagoon
Marine Life Fauna Survey and aquatic inventory compilation for Wildlife Guide.
1995
03/95 GREAT BARRIER REEF - Lady Elliot island
Project AWARE Marine Life Identification Specialty course - Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey- Underwater Photography
03/95 GREAT BARRIER REEF TOWNSVILLE Kelso Reef
Reef Public Aquarium project. Marine Life Fauna Survey Kelso Reef.
03/95 GREAT BARRIER REEF - Orpheus Island
Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography.
04/95 GREAT BARRIER REEF - Kelso Reef
Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography.
06/95 NORTHERN TERRITORY (OUTBACK EXPEDITION) Ayers Rock,
Continuing Photo-Fauna Survey, desert life Nocturnal species.
07/95 NEW SOUTH WALES - SYDNEY, SCUBA EXPO
Presenter Marine Life Education.
08/95 GREAT BARRIER REEF - Cairns - Worlds Biggest Dive Festival
Presenter - Marine Life Fauna Survey, Agincourt Reef Green Island
11/95 SEYCHELLES Indian Ocean
Subios Underwater Festival Presenter - Marine Life Fauna Survey - School lectures. Research for Wildlife Guide.
12/95 NEW SOUTH WALES - Port Stephens
Project AWARE Marine Life Identification Specialty Course.
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography.
1996
1/96 WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Shark Bay
Continuing Marine Life Fauna Survey. Desert frog research and photography.
02/96 NEW SOUTH WALES - Snowy Mountains
Mountain frogs research and photography.
05/96 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Milne Bay Province
Continuing Marine Life Fauna Survey, collecting specimens and Underwater Photography.
07/96 QUEENSLAND Mackay Great Barrier Reef
Presenter: Eco tourism and Marine Life Conference. Field trip intertidal photography.
10/96 INDONESIA - Bali Liberty Wreck
Marine Life Fauna Survey Collection of specimens - Underwater Photography.
10/96 SOUTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Albany
Continuing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography - Lowlands frog research and photography.
11/96 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Loloata Island Motupore Research Station
Continuing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography - Research for Wildlife Guide.
1997
01/97 QUEENSLAND - Mooloolaba
Project AWARE Marine Life Identification Speciality Course. Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Collection of specimens.
02/97 VICTORIA - Mornington Peninsula
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography.
Lowlands Frog Research.
03/97 MALDIVES Indian Ocean
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Research for Wildlife Guide.
06/97 QUEENSLAND - Moreton Bay
Stradbroke Island Dive Festival Presenter Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater photography. Collection of specimens.
06/07 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Loloata Island Motupore Research Station
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography. Research for Wildlife Guide - Collection of specimens.
07/97 JAPAN - Izu Peninsula
Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Talk to university students. Research for frogs.
08/97 SOLOMON ISLANDS - Uepi Island
Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Research for Wildlife Guide.
11/97 INDONESIA - Bali
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Specimen collections.
11/97 SEYCHELLES Indian Ocean
Subios Underwater Festival Presenter - Marine Life Fauna Survey and school talks. Research for Wildlife Guide.
12/97 OREILLYS RAINFOREST Lamington National Park, Queensland.
Presentations on Frog Natural History - Mountain frog research - Photography.
1998
04/98 SYDNEY SHELL SHOW Australian Museum
Presenter: Second Australian Malacological Society of Australia.
05/98 QUEENSLAND - Gold Coast
Presenter: Dive Festival Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
06/98 ROYAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Brisbane
Presentation: Young Achievers
07/98 OREILLYS RAINFOREST Lamington National Park, Queensland
Presenter: The Nature of Photography. Winter frog research and photography.
07/98 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Loloata Island Motupore Research Station
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography. Collection of specimens.
08/98 ADELAIDE South Australia
Project AWARE Marine Life Identification Course - Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
11/98 ALBANY ESPERANCE South-Western Australia
Presenter: Southern Oceans Conference - Continuing Marine Life Fauna Survey. Underwater Photography - Research on lowland frogs and photography.
1999
06/99 HONG KONG AQUARIUM
Aquarium studies - Photography
09/99 CAIRNS Queensland
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography - Rainforest assessment and photography.
09/99 NAMBOUR Queensland
Presenter: Australian Photographic Society Marine Life Presentations.
10/99 MALDIVES Indian Ocean
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey- Underwater Photography - Research for Wildlife Guide and photography.
12/99 WALINDI PLANTATION KIMBE BAY, Papua New Guinea
Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography. Research on Rainforest frogs and photography.
2000
01/2000 LORD HOWE ISLAND South Pacific
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Research for Lord Howe Island Marine Park book.
08/2000 JACOBS WELL, GOLD COAST Queensland
Presenter: Environmental Research Station Research and Photography on Mangrove Nudibranchs.
08/2000 VICTORIA
Presenter: to Dolphin Society Gathering - Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater photography.
10/2000 CAIRNS Queensland Agincourt Reef, Great Barrier Reef
Presenter: to Scoliosis Research Society. Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography.
10/2000 CAIRNS Queensland Great Barrier Reef
Presentation: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park/conservation.
11/2000 FIJI ISLANDS
Fiji Tourism Project AWARE Marine Biology workshop presentation for diving instructors.
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Research for Wildlife Guide.
12/2000 PORT PHILLIP BAY Victoria
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Research on nudibranchs for book.
12/2000 NEW ZEALAND
Marine Life Fauna Survey - Research for Nudibranch book Underwater Photography.
2001
02/2001 LORD HOWE ISLAND
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens. Research for Lord Howe Island Marine book.
05/2001 ROYAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Brisbane
Presentation: Queensland Museum
10/2001 BRISBANE Queensland
Presentation: Malacological Society of Australia ( Ovulidae)
11/2001 - PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Loloata Island Motupore Research Station.
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography. Research for Wildlife Guide.
12/2001 LORD HOWE ISLAND
Presentation: Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography.
2002
03/2002 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Madang
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Marine life presentations.
05/2002 QUEENSLAND GOLD COAST Seaworld
Presentation: Combined Schools Marine Careers Expo
06/2002 OREILLYS RAINFOREST Lamington National Park, Queensland
Presentations: Mountain frog research. Photography
7/2002 LORD HOWE ISLAND
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography. Winter survey for Lord Howe Island Marine Park book.
11-12/2002 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Milne Bay Province Loloata Island
Milne Bay Province Loloata Island Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
2003
02/2003 CAIRNS Queensland Great Barrier Reef
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography
04-05/2003 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Milne Bay Province Loloata Island
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
06/2003 ALBANY South-Western Australia
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens. Lowland frog research.
09/2003 SYDNEY DIVE EXHIBITION New South Wales
Presenter: Dangerous Sea Creatures
11/2003 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Loloata Island Motupore Research Station
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography Collection of specimens
2004
03/2004 PAPUA NEW GUINEA Loloata Island
Judge International Underwater Photography contest.
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography Collection of specimens.
05/2004 VANUATU - Vila
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography Collection of specimens.
05/2004 ANILAO Philippines
Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography - Research for Wildlife Guide.
06/2004 VANUATU - Santo
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography Collection of specimens.
07/2004 JERVIS BAY New South Wales
Project AWARE Nudibranch Identification Specialty Course for divers.
07-08/2004 MALAYSIA - Kuala Lumpur
Presenter: Butterflies of the Sea - Marine Conservation.
08/2004 MALAYSIA - Sabah
Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
09/2004 VANUATU - Santo
Presentation: Underwater Photography - Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography.
11/2004 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Milne Bay Province
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
2005
01/2005 LORD HOWE ISLAND
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography.
03/2005 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Milne Bay Province
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
Closely surveying the Devil Ghoul Inimicus didadactylus during a "muck dive" in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. My knife is anchored into the sand and in this way I can control movement and disturb the bottom as little as possible.
( photo: Jorina van der Westhuizen)
06/2005 SINGAPORE
Presenter: Celebrate the Sea Judge of Photography.
09/2005 NEW SOUTH WALES - Port Stephens Jervis Bay
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey - Underwater Photography - Collection of specimens.
11/2005 PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Loloata Island- Motupore Research Station
Ongoing Marine Life Fauna Survey Underwater Photography Collection of Specimens.
2006
01/2006 CHRISTMAS ISLAND COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
Marine Life Fauna Surveys Underwater Photography - Research for Wildlife Guides.
Neville's expeditions, fauna surveys, photographic fauna surveys include every major group of marine life.
Neville's expertise in marine life identification extends to the identification of Algae, Sea Grass, Mangroves, Forams, Sponges, Stony Corals, Soft Corals, Sea Anemones, Sea Jellies, Zoanthids, Corallimorphs, Black Corals, Flatworms, Segmented Worms, Crustaceans, Barnacles, Shrimps, Lobsters, Crayfish, Hermit Crabs, Squat Lobsters, Molluscs, Chitons, Univalves, Bivalves, Cephalopods, Octopus, Cuttlefish, Squid, Opisthobranchs, Nudibranchs, Sea Slugs, Bryozoans, Sea Mosses, Echinoderms, Sea Stars, Feather Stars, Brittle Stars, Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Ascidians/Sea Squirts, Fish, Sharks, Marine Reptiles, and Marine Mammals throughout the Asia/Indo - Pacific region.