07 Dec 2023
Student Tom Ryan has recently returned from his dream work experience job at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton Queensland.
The Age of Dinosaurs Museum is a Mecca for Australian natural history buffs. It houses the world’s largest Australian dinosaur fossil collection and notably holds a fossil preparation laboratory. The facility prepares hundreds of fossils a day that are sourced from the surrounding area.
“Probably about five years ago I visited the museum as a tourist because I’ve always had an interest in dinosaurs,” explains Tom, “My parents took me there when we were on a trip through Central Queensland and I just loved it. They told me that when I was in Year 10 I could come back on work experience and that’s what I did.”
Over the five days Tom helped guide tours, prepared and plastered fossils and got an insiders look at the outstanding collection of fossils. He also got to peruse some of the papers that the scientists on staff were preparing on various specimens.
The experience has further resolved Tom to pursue a career in the field. He is currently looking to study a degree in palaeontology, geology or another earth science to get him on his way.
When asked what draws him to dinosaurs, Tom responds “I don’t know really. Just childhood wonder for them. I was always watching movies like Jurassic Park when I was a young kid and I fell in love with them. I never really grew out of it.”
We’d like to send a massive thank you to the Age of Dinosaurs Museum for hosting one of our students. Best of luck on your journey to becoming a palaeontologist, Tom!
