Technical Officer in Palaeontology
Carey Burke
Carey has developed his childhood interest in prehistoric beasts into an active career. He has previously worked as a tour guide at the Naracoorte Caves world heritage fossil site, was employed in the South Australian Museum’s Information Centre, and has travelled the length and breadth of South Australia providing educational outreach to rural communities. Carey became involved with Flinders Palaeontology by volunteering, and was eventually employed by Rod Wells (then head of Palaeontology) to assist with preparing fossils for research. Carey Completed a Bachelor of Ecotourism at Flinders University.
Today, Carey is the Technical Officer in Palaeontology in the Flinders Palaeontology lab. This diverse role primarily involves stabilising and preparing freshly excavated fossils for research. He also assists with field work, managing the fossil preparation lab at Flinders University, maintaining fossil preparation tools, coordinating volunteers and molding and casting fossil specimens. Carey also works towards improving, developing and refining fossil preparation techniques at Flinders Palaeontology, through experimentation and researching new methods and materials for consolidating, repairing and conserving fossils.