Baillieu Myer Oration
Celebrate National Threatened Species Day with Us
Join us for an inspiring evening at Melbourne Zoo on Wednesday, 3 September, as we honour National Threatened Species Day and the future of conservation.
This special event pays tribute to the late Baillieu Myer AC, whose legacy lives on through the Baillieu Myer Internships.
The Internships were established with a gift from the Sidney Myer Fund in early 2023 to empower young scientists with the skills and experience needed to protect Victoria’s most threatened species.
Register to hear from our three remarkable 2025 Baillieu Myer Interns, the emerging leaders of wildlife conservation.
Through their stories, you’ll journey behind the scenes - learning how cutting-edge techniques, fresh perspectives and unshakable passion are helping to secure a future rich in wildlife.
This free event is an opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved together and why we remain hopeful.
Together, we are building a legacy for science, for wildlife and for generations to come.
Can't make it in person? Click here to register for the online stream.
Meet your Hosts
Dr Jenny Gray AM PSM | CEO, Zoos Victoria
Dr Jenny Gray is the Chief Executive Officer at Zoos Victoria, charged with the operation of Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Kyabram Fauna Park.
Jenny has qualifications in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Business Administration, and Ethics, a combination which provides a unique set of skills to tackle the challenges of transforming the four zoos that comprise Zoos Victoria. In 2016, Jenny completed her PhD in ethics with her thesis on “An Ethical Defense of Modern Zoos” published by CSIRO.
Over the past 17 years, Jenny has led the transformation of Zoos Victoria into a zoo-based conservation organisation.
Zoos Victoria has developed a unique model for contributing to measurable and meaningful conservation actions through their zoo operations, by holding and breeding endangered animals, supporting field projects and, most importantly, engaging visitors in measurable and meaningful conservation actions.
Meet your Speakers
Angie Symon | Baillieu Myer Intern 2025
Angie Symon graduated with Distinction from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) in 2024. Her honours project focused on the foraging ecology of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot following translocations across Victoria.
She has an interest in science communication, and last year presented her project findings at the Australian Mammal Society conference and the Ecology Society of Australia Conference, where she received the EMR award for an outstanding poster presentation in management and restoration.
During her studies Angie volunteered with conservation organisations, local councils and post-graduate students, gaining skills and experience in field research, identification of flora and fauna, macroscopic identification of invertebrates, statistical data analysis, community engagement and written communication. Her varied volunteer experiences have encouraged her interest in restoration ecology and threatened species recovery.
Angie has a demonstrated a long-term interest in the work of Zoos Victoria, having worked and volunteered at Healesville Sanctuary and in the field with the Threatened Species team.
Drawn to research informed threatened species recovery using holistic, community-based approaches, coupled with her strong interest, commitment, knowledge, and skills, she is looking forward to contributing to wildlife conservation as a Baillieu Myer Intern.
Ebony Gatto | Baillieu Myer Intern 2025
Ebony Gatto recently completed her Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife Conservation Biology) with High Distinction at Deakin University in 2024.
Awarded a 2022 New Colombo Plan Scholarship & Fellowship by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for French Polynesia, India, Cook Islands, Malaysia and Japan, she also studied at the University of the South Pacific in Rarotonga and Sophia University in Tokyo.
Her volunteer and study experiences have been extensive, working with local communities and Indigenous Peoples both locally and globally, restoring coral reef ecosystems in the Cook Islands’ lagoons, measuring humpback whale population demographics in French Polynesian waters, tracking critically endangered avian breeding pairs in remote Tahitian valleys, radio-tracking powerful owls in Victoria’s bushland parks, surveying Pygmy possums in the Mallee, antechinus in the Otway Ranges and rescuing snared African wild dogs in South Africa.
Ebony is excited to take up the role as a Baillieu Myer Intern in 2025, supporting Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction programs, utilising innovative conservation strategies to protect and restore populations of Victoria’s most vulnerable species.
Ryan Archer | Baillieu Myer Intern 2025
As an Aboriginal man, Ryan Archer is uniquely passionate about the conservation of our native wildlife and caring for country.
Ryan has a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Melbourne, majoring in Zoology with breadth in First Nations Studies and Ecology.
In addition to his studies, Ryan has engaged in a number of roles with The University of Melbourne as a Research Assistant (Scholarship), STEM Outreach Support Officer and Outreach Science Educator.
He has also held the roles of Head of Committee (Indigenous Sub-Committee), Indigenous Student Support Officer, Design & Promotions Assistant and RAP Working Group Member with Ormond College.
He also worked as a Data Platforms Intern with Westpac Bank, Conservation Summer Intern with Zoos Victoria, Animal Welfare Legislative Reform Intern and Animal Welfare Policy Intern with the Victorian Government - Department of Jobs, skills Industry and Regions
Ryan is committed to contributing to the Wildlife, Conservation and Science team at Zoos Victoria and more specifically the conservation efforts for Victoria’s native wildlife.