Author Biography
Julian Wicksteed was born 1976, in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. His passion for the ocean, aquatic eco-systems, the outdoors and all things related to water began at a young age while sailing the North Queensland 'Coral Coast' throughout his school years. Swimming lessons from a young age led to competitive swimming, and eventually competitive water polo; this saw him represent Australian schoolboys while completing high school at Townsville Grammar. Surfing and spear fishing are included in his many water-orientated interests. Finishing school in 1994, he joined the Australian Air force as a foot soldier or airfield defence guard in a scheme then known as the Ready Reserve: one year fulltime training followed by a choice of fulltime enlistment or part-time service while involved in university study of his own choice. He highly valued the mate-ship, life experience and personal development encountered in the Australian military, and chose to remain enlisted for four years on a part time basis, while following his lifelong interest in fishing and the environment, by enrolling in an applied science degree in Fisheries Management at Deakin University, Warrnambool, in southwest Victoria. Upon completing this degree in 1999, a further higher diploma in education was completed at the University Of Cape Town, South Africa, in the year 2000. Travels after this led to the idea of traversing Africa for the first book in his 'Angler Walkabout Series', A Catch On Africa. When Julian isn't exploring the globe chasing surf and fish, he spends most of his time in southwest Victoria in his home country of Australia. He has a science degree in fisheries management, and he hopes to see his 'Angler Walkabout Books' help to reveal the natural splendor of the world; its diverse peoples and places, and the precious fisheries we are so fortunate to have. He also hopes that his images and stories might help to influence more responsible and sustainable fishing practices, both commercially and recreationally. Let the children of tomorrow, in all walks of life, experience the beauty and abundance we still have today. Julian Wicksteed.
