History Has Been Made on the Southern Great Barrier Reef!

History isn’t just something you read about in textbooks. Sometimes, it’s those milestone moments that occur quietly in beautiful corners of the world – like here in the waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

From May 22nd to May 31st, 2026, an incredible milestone for the diving industry took place as Dive Spear and Sport 1770 proudly hosted the first-ever All-Women’s SDI IDC in the Town of 1770 on the Great Barrier Reef. We could not believe our luck in bringing together a phenomenal group of women from across Australia and three different countries that showcased a cohort of candidates who were nothing short of amazing, brilliant, and capable.

While an IDC focuses heavily on providing candidates with the knowledge and skills to teach courses, this IDC was designed to deliver something much bigger. Over a challenging but deeply rewarding 10 days, the candidates put in huge hours and effort to complete every component of the IDC curriculum. Alongside their dive training, the candidates also dove into specialised sessions which focused on professional growth, vision development, and honest, open discussions about navigating the unique challenges women experience as instructors their professional careers

The tone of the week was shared laughter, mountains of support, the creation of a powerful dive professionals and a friendship circle to support them on through their professional journey.

 

There had to be some fun and games…

Of course, you can’t come all the way to the Great Barrier Reef and not experience the amazing destination! Dive Spear and Sport 1770 made sure the candidates got to experience the vibrant local community of Agnes Water and the Town of 1770… and of course – The Great Barrier Reef!

The ladies took time out to enjoy the local 1770 Festival, where they watched the historic re-enactment of Lieutenant James Cook’s landing on May 24, 1770— the second landing place of the Endeavour in Australia and the very reason for the town’s unique name. They also attended the 1770 festival to experience the beautiful indigenous cultural dances performed by the traditional owners, the Gooreng Gooreng people.

And, no trip to the Town of 1770 is complete without witnessing one of its spectacular, famous sunsets over the water—a breathtaking phenomenon that is incredibly rare to see on the East Coast of Australia!

 

Magic moments on the Southern Great Barrier Reef:

Candidates also had the opportunity to “blow off some bubbles” throughout the course with a fun dive or two and allow the magical reef of the south to show off a little.

The Southern Great Barrier Reef absolutely turned it on for the event. The candidates enjoyed stunning dives surrounded by vibrant coral, incredible marine life -including sea turtles, reef sharks, swirling schools of fish, and plenty of Nemos – and the spectacular kickoff of the local Manta Ray season.

 

It takes a village to create such phenomenal candidates…

The course was incredibly blessed to have so much support from the team at Scuba Diving International and SDI Oceania. The candidates were blown away by Stephanie Miele, COO and Owner of SDI, who stayed up late and woke up early to dial in all the way from the USA to guide the candidates through some truly incredible professional development sessions and even join the group for an empowering women’s circle.

The candidates – Jenni, Angelina, Caity, and Courtney – grew exponentially under the brilliant guidance of their Instructor Trainer, Kate Barker (Owner of Dreamers Dive Academy, Timor-Leste). Assisting her was Carmen Bolton (Owner of Dive Spear and Sport 1770), with both leaders doing their absolute best to share their vast knowledge and skills as both instructors and experienced female business owners in the dive industry.

When it came time for the Instructor Examination, the course was joined by Troy and Michelle Stephenson of the SDI Oceanic Regional Office. There is no surprise that the entire cohort passed with flying colours! Of course, we celebrated in style with a joyful fun dive, complete with a few congratulatory mantas swimming right alongside the new instructors.

 

Meet “Ima Barker”

Most IDC candidates walk away with a celebratory photo and a certificate. But this wasn’t most IDCs.

As a truly extraordinary graduation gift, the ladies were given the privilege of naming a wild Manta Ray. A beautiful, chilled-out female manta who spent their entire celebratory dive hanging out with the group. As it turned out, she was fittingly a young female #1607, first identified in 2024 at Lady Elliot Island, but still in need of a name.

Dive Spear and Sport 1770 works closely with Project Manta and the newly formed Manta Fondation to collect crucial data on Manta activity in the region. Thanks to our wonderful friend with Dr. Asia Armstrong at Project Manta, the ladies were given the opportunity to name her. They officially named this majestic ray “Ima Barker” in honour of their fierce and brilliant Instructor Trainer, Kate Barker.

 

Thank you’s to our village!

This historic event wouldn’t have been possible without an incredible support both locally and internationally. We want to officially thank Kate Barker for making the journey from Timor-Leste to inspire and lead. To Stephanie Miele from SDI International for lending her time, wisdom, and demonstrating truly empowered female leadership to this next generation of instructors – Thank you. The team at SDI Oceania, Troy and Michelle, for traveling up,  assisting with the IDC, and demonstrating the support available to them as they commence their SDI instrucror journey.

The team at SDI International for their unwavering support and behind-the-scenes assistance.

Finally to the teams at both DSS1770 for hosting and Dreamers Dive Academy for holding the fort and allowing Kate the space to be part of this milestone event!

 

Cohort 2 is coming!

A final massive congratulations to the official successful new instructor graduates of the world’s first All-Women’s SDI Instructor Course – Courtney, Jenni, Caity, and Angelina  – Women’s IDC Cohort 1! Welcome to the your new diving career! You are true leaders, pioneers and history-makers. We are so proud of you.

  

Are you ready to find your fierce? If you want to be part of an instructor course that doesn’t just turn you into the best instructor you can be but also helps you feel empowered and connected as a woman in the dive industry… this is for you!.

Cohort 2 is officially coming! Join us 29th April – 9th May, 2027! Expressions of interest are open and feel free to reach out about steps you can take to get ready for this life-changing course.