SPEAKERS

Warrick McDonald

Introduced to SCUBA diving in 1961 on a Dutch Navy twin-set, Warrick McDonald retains his undiminished enthusiasm for an activity that has dominated his life.

Inspired by all of diving's possibilities his passion became a career. Joining the Royal Australian Navy as a Clearance Diver, he later worked at Victorian Aqualung Centre, at that time one of only two dive shops in Victoria. Expanding to become Sea Bee Wetsuits - that subsequently became the world's largest per capita wetsuit manufacturer employing over 60 staff - and Airdive Equipment, the company that became the first Australian wholesaler for a range of product names that included, Beauchat, Bauer, Mares, Scubapro and Sea Hornet.

In 1971, during this period of his life, Warrick McDonald first began diving the Mt Gambier cave systems, an interest that continues through to the present day.

Further adding to his knowledge and experience, in 1977 he joined Anchor Wetsuits - a company that later became Melbourne Marine - where he opened three diving retail outlets before, in 1979, establishing his own business, Warrick's Dive Centre, an operation that, by 1985, had grown to include four retail stores.

Changing the name to AB Ocean Divers in 1986, Warrick devoted his considerable energies to the development of Australia's diving industry. President of the Victorian Diving Industry from 1989 to 1996, in 1990 he joined the Board of Dive Australia - the country's former peak diving industry body - where he subsequently served as the Association's President for five years.

Becoming Business Director of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) in 1992, Warrick was elected the organisation's National Director in 1999, a position in which he currently serves.

A PADI Course Director and CDAA Penetration Examiner with unique insights into the development of cave diving, Warrick - together with his life partner, Jane Bowman - devotes his time to running the dive shop, AB Ocean Divers, and the charter boat; teaching; examining cave penetration divers up to the highest level, running the CDAA, travelling and, of course, diving the cave systems of Mt Gambier.

(For further information on AB Ocean Divers, check out their website at: http://www.abocean.com.au)