ABOUT SCUBA IQ
PORT DOUGLAS
Martin Connolly
Hi there,
Originally from New Zealand, I started scuba diving back in the late 1990s, exploring mountain lakes, and the Pacific Ocean, Over the years, that experience has served me well but it definitely means that I can appreciate how lucky I am to now live and work on the Great Barrier Reef!
After a few years in the Navy, where I trained as a mechanical engineer, I decided to change careers and become a PADI scuba diving instructor, Since then, I've worked and dived all over the world, though mostly in The Mediterranean, South East Asia, and now here in Port Douglas, on the Great Barrier Reef.
Aside from these adventures, a large part of my time outside of diving has been spent travelling the world in pursuit of mountaineering, rock climbing, and ice climbing opportunities, though living in tropical Queensland doesn't allow for much of that these days.
Beyond running Scuba IQ, and being a proud parent to our daughter, Alba, I also fill my spare time as a member of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
Louise Gill
Hi,
I'm Lou, the other half of Scuba IQ Port Douglas; where you can find me behind the scenes, keeping the wheels turning. I also look after the dive travel side of Scuba IQ, where I help our guests organise their dream dive holidays, all over the world
I started out in the dive industry when I was backpacking around Thailand, way back in 2005. Living in SE Asia for a number of years, also meant that I was able to chase other adventures in that part of the world, including swimming with Thresher Sharks in the Phillippines, and trekking to the Everest Base Camp. Aside from my time in Asia, I also spent time working in Mozambique, where I swam and dived with Whale Sharks and Manta Rays on a daily basis!
Even though I'm now in a land-based role, I still get out for the odd dive here and there, and I'm especially looking forward to joining the 2023 Minke Exped!
Michael Sausman
Staff Instructor