Shelly Bengiat

From the First Sea to the Last Sea – Weaving traditional culture and science

Shelly Bengiat represents Australia’s Indigenous and Pacific alliances. She will share insights on coastal restoration, regenerative education, and the power of blending ancestral wisdom with cutting-edge technologies. Shelly’s mission — from the First Sea to the Last Sea — is to co-create a future where Indigenous voices shape the blue economy and inspire global stewardship for generations to come.

Shelly Bengiat is the Founder & Chairwoman, Coralz Envirotech Education Group

PuipiKak Malu ‘Perfect Sea’, TotalaI Land & Sea Conservation Hub, Maiso Meriam Mair,

She stands at the forefront of marine habitat conservation and Indigenous empowerment. As Founder and Chairwoman of Envirotech Coralz Group, Shelly has dedicated her life to bridging cultural, environmental, and educational divides, working alongside Indigenous coastal and island communities to co-design and deliver Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs. Her pioneering spirit led to the development of the world’s first Marine Habitat Conservation and Restoration (MHCR) technical qualifications, recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and internationally transferable.

Shelly’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing government-funded projects that support blue carbon, aquaculture, and biodiversity initiatives, all co-created with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through her stewardship, Envirotech Coralz Group has become a globally leading Registered Training Organisation (RTO), graduating thousands of students from over 60 countries and winning awards such as Queensland Indigenous Student of the Year, Innovation in Training, and National Export and Sustainability Awards.

Her vision is deeply rooted in the belief that ocean stewardship, Indigenous leadership, and education are central to a thriving planetary economy. Shelly’s work extends beyond Australia, supporting the creation of Indigenous Protected Areas and capacity-building projects throughout the Pacific and Torres Strait islands, fostering Indigenous-led governance, sustainability entrepreneurship, and intercultural exchange.