Powerful Partnerships category

The UniSC Milbi Centre – Sea Turtle Research and Rehabilitation is a place-based collaboration between the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and Turtles in Trouble Rescue Inc. Established on Butchulla Country, the Centre integrates First Nations knowledge, Western science, specialist wildlife care and community engagement to support sea turtle conservation on the Fraser Coast.

The Centre was developed in response to increasing sea turtle strandings and mortalities following extreme weather events in 2021–22, and the absence of a local treatment facility. Through sustained co-design, the parties transformed a disused Fraser Coast Regional Council amenities building into a fit-for-purpose facility with research, diagnostic and rehabilitation capability.

Since opening in May 2026, the Centre has improved local triage and treatment capacity, reducing the need for injured turtles to be transported long distances for care. By combining research, rehabilitation, cultural governance, education and digital engagement, the UniSC Milbi Centre demonstrates a powerful partnership model delivering environmental, cultural, social and educational impact.

University of the Sunshine Coast – Milbi Centre – Sea Turtle Research and Rehabilitation

Impacts & Benefits

  • Improved local sea turtle care, providing immediate triage, treatment and rehabilitation on the Fraser Coast and reducing long-distance transport.
  • Created capacity to care for up to ten turtles at a time, with an estimated ability to treat approximately 50 turtles annually.
  • Rehabilitated and released three sea turtles back to Country since opening in May 2026, demonstrating early conservation impact.
  • Generated strong projected regional value, with an estimated $3.3 million in annual economic benefits and more than $8 returned for every $1 invested.
  • Expanded education and community engagement, using digital interpretation, augmented reality and QR-enabled resources to increase public understanding of sea turtle conservation.

 

Leadership & Engagement

  • Built a strong tripartite partnership, sharing leadership, expertise and decision-making.
  • Embedded First Nations cultural governance, ensuring Butchulla knowledge, stewardship and connection to Country shape the Centre’s design, operations and engagement.
  • Combined complementary partner strengths, including UniSC research leadership, BNTAC cultural authority and TITR’s frontline rescue and rehabilitation expertise.
  • Secured broad government, philanthropic and community support, including more than $1.5 million in State and Commonwealth funding and approximately $350,000 in philanthropic donations.
  • Engaged students in real-world learning, with Bachelor of Creative Industries students contributing interpretive signage and visitor information prototypes across three semesters.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Transformed a disused community building into a conservation asset, creating long-term environmental, cultural and educational value for the Fraser Coast.
  • Strengthened shared stewardship of milbi, recognising the cultural significance of sea turtles and the importance of caring for Country.
  • Created a transferable partnership model, showing how universities, Traditional Owners, community organisations and governments can co-design conservation infrastructure.
  • Supported regional capability and employment pathways, contributing to wildlife care, research, education, tourism and community engagement.
  • Advanced broader conservation collaboration, helping catalyse a proposed South-East Queensland Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Network with partners including Sea World, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and Sea Life.
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Top 3 learnings

  • We established a strong, unified vision by fostering respect, trust, and open communication.
  • Our sustained engagement beyond consultation achieved meaningful and enduring outcomes.
  • We authentically co-designed with Indigenous partners for stronger, sustainable, impactful outcomes.

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Category finalists

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Powerful Partnerships category

The UniSC Milbi Centre – Sea Turtle Research and Rehabilitation is a place-based collaboration between the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and Turtles in Trouble Rescue Inc. Established on Butchulla Country, the Centre integrates First Nations knowledge, Western science, specialist wildlife care and community engagement to support sea turtle conservation on the Fraser Coast.

The Centre was developed in response to increasing sea turtle strandings and mortalities following extreme weather events in 2021–22, and the absence of a local treatment facility. Through sustained co-design, the parties transformed a disused Fraser Coast Regional Council amenities building into a fit-for-purpose facility with research, diagnostic and rehabilitation capability.

Since opening in May 2026, the Centre has improved local triage and treatment capacity, reducing the need for injured turtles to be transported long distances for care. By combining research, rehabilitation, cultural governance, education and digital engagement, the UniSC Milbi Centre demonstrates a powerful partnership model delivering environmental, cultural, social and educational impact.

Top 3 learnings

  • We established a strong, unified vision by fostering respect, trust, and open communication.
  • Our sustained engagement beyond consultation achieved meaningful and enduring outcomes.
  • We authentically co-designed with Indigenous partners for stronger, sustainable, impactful outcomes.

Impacts & Benefits

  • Improved local sea turtle care, providing immediate triage, treatment and rehabilitation on the Fraser Coast and reducing long-distance transport.
  • Created capacity to care for up to ten turtles at a time, with an estimated ability to treat approximately 50 turtles annually.
  • Rehabilitated and released three sea turtles back to Country since opening in May 2026, demonstrating early conservation impact.
  • Generated strong projected regional value, with an estimated $3.3 million in annual economic benefits and more than $8 returned for every $1 invested.
  • Expanded education and community engagement, using digital interpretation, augmented reality and QR-enabled resources to increase public understanding of sea turtle conservation.

 

Leadership & Engagement

  • Built a strong tripartite partnership, sharing leadership, expertise and decision-making.
  • Embedded First Nations cultural governance, ensuring Butchulla knowledge, stewardship and connection to Country shape the Centre’s design, operations and engagement.
  • Combined complementary partner strengths, including UniSC research leadership, BNTAC cultural authority and TITR’s frontline rescue and rehabilitation expertise.
  • Secured broad government, philanthropic and community support, including more than $1.5 million in State and Commonwealth funding and approximately $350,000 in philanthropic donations.
  • Engaged students in real-world learning, with Bachelor of Creative Industries students contributing interpretive signage and visitor information prototypes across three semesters.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Transformed a disused community building into a conservation asset, creating long-term environmental, cultural and educational value for the Fraser Coast.
  • Strengthened shared stewardship of milbi, recognising the cultural significance of sea turtles and the importance of caring for Country.
  • Created a transferable partnership model, showing how universities, Traditional Owners, community organisations and governments can co-design conservation infrastructure.
  • Supported regional capability and employment pathways, contributing to wildlife care, research, education, tourism and community engagement.
  • Advanced broader conservation collaboration, helping catalyse a proposed South-East Queensland Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Network with partners including Sea World, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and Sea Life.

Supported by

logo

Category finalists