Pioneers of ocean advocacy

Valerie understood that media is the pathway to action. Through popular media, television, interviews, articles, books, children’s books, art, photography and film, she used every means of communication to increase understanding of the marine world and support action.

Over the years, Valerie and Ron witnessed atrocities, and used their profile to fight back and deliver protection for species and habitats. Valerie says that the most powerful pathway to action is to take the pictures, get your story right and contact the media. In 2012, the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park, off South Australia, was named in their honour, in recognition of their contribution to marine conservation.

Jaws of a Great White Shark

Cover of Fathom magazine showing a diver with a fish. — Fathom magazine 'Skindiving in Australia', Issue 4.
*Australian National Maritime Collection. Gift from Ron and Valerie Taylor*

Fathom magazine 'Skindiving in Australia'

gold medal in green and gold case — Australian Geographic medal in case.
*Loan from Valerie Taylor*

Australian Geographic Medal, Adventurer of the Year Award

Cover of Inner Space record showing image of a shark — Inner Space LP record.
*Australian National Maritime Collection.*

Ron and Valerie Taylor’s Inner Space original television score vinyl LP

DVD cover with shark and text "Blue Water White Death" — Blue Water White Death DVD.
*Australian National Maritime Collection.*

Blue Water White Death DVD

Cover of The Australian Womens Weekly February 27 showing Valerie Taylor — The Australian Womens Weekly February 27, 1974.

The Australian Womens Weekly February 27 1974 issue

National Geographic June 1973

National Geographic May 1981

Cover of Melody the Mermaid by Valerie Taylor. — Melody the Mermaid by Valerie Taylor.
*Australian National Maritime Collection.*

Melody the Mermaid: Adventures in the Kingdoms of the Sea

Great Shark Writings

Cover of An Adventurous Life by Valerie Taylor. — An Adventurous Life by Valerie Taylor.
*Australian National Maritime Collection.*

Valerie Taylor: An Adventurous Life - by Valerie Taylor and Ben McKelvey

Explore a Great White Shark Jaw

Using the mouse you can orbit, drag and pan around the 3D Model.
Rotate - left click, single touch, arrow keys.
Zoom - scroll wheel, two finger pinch, '-' and '=' keys.
Move - right click, two finger move, WASD keys.
Recentre - Double click/double tap.

Find out more

Valerie Taylor: An Underwater Life