WHO?
The Silentworld Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation with a focus on supporting and promoting Australasian maritime archaeology, history, culture and heritage.
WHAT?
Our interest and work is centered mainly on, but is not restricted to, Australian indigenous contact with non-European groups prior to European settlement, initial European contact and the early colonial era. The evolution of understanding regarding the extent and shape of the ‘great southern land’, early exploration of the coasts and surrounding seas, settlement and use as a penal colony all led to the development of Australia into the modern country it is today. We are interested in uncovering and telling the stories of that past within the wider context of Australia’s place in the region. The Foundation’s interests are academic and work is carried out to internationally recognised professional standards.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
MEET THE TEAM
John Mullen
DIRECTOR
John grew up in Portugal and Spain as a boy and developed a love for the sea and history at an early age.
John has had a long business career, but his passion remains the ocean and especially early Australian Maritime history. 20 years ago John and his wife Jacqui established the Silentworld Foundation dedicated to maritime archaeology and the discovery of early colonial shipwrecks.
The Foundation operates a private museum dedicated to understanding our nation’s early maritime history and supports annual expeditions and other ventures seeking a greater understanding of our past.
Jacqui Mullen
DIRECTOR
Lesley Howlett
DIRECTOR
Born into a sea-faring family in a coastal town on the mid-north-western coast of the UK. Lesley emigrated to Australia in the 1960s and had a working career predominantly in transport, shipping and logistics. She has a keen interest in early Australian history, particularly maritime history.
Michael Gooding
CAPTAIN OF SILENTWORLD CHARTERS & PROJECT MANAGER
Michael is the Manager of the Silentworld Foundation and project manager for field work and expeditons. Michael’s additional role as Captain for Silentworld Charters, has enables him to experience the wonders of Oceania first-hand and has cruised around this special region for nearly 30 years.
Combining his passion for the sea, exploration and maritime archaeology, Michael has helped create some special experiences for those on board Silentworld, showing how we can use yachts to truly engage with and protect the oceans we sail on.
Benjamin Wharton
RESEARCH ASSISTANT & PhD Candidate
Heather Berry is a conservator at the Silentworld Foundation.
She is a PADI divemaster and graduated with a Master of Cultural Materials Conservation from the University of Melbourne in 2019. She is currently pursuing further research as a PhD Student at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne.
Heather has always had a deep passion for the underwater landscape, as well as history and science, and is honoured to be able to work with an organisation that allows her to combine these three passions. Heather lives in Melbourne with her partner and their 5 guinea pigs.