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Peninsula Kids
Home»Spotlight»The Lost World of Bayside Fossils
Spotlight

The Lost World of Bayside Fossils

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By Erica Louise

Prehistoric finds of the fossil kind are discovered on every continent, although you might not think of Melbourne Bayside as a significant site for palaeontology research. That’s why you need to hear about Ben Francischelli’s work. Ben is researching Australia’s most important urban fossil site, and it’s found right here in Melbourne.

Together with his team of citizen scientists and work colleagues, Ben has uncovered an extraordinary collection of prehistoric fossils from Beaumaris. Specimens such as sharks, whales and other sea creature fossils dating back some five million years.

Ben took some time out of his lockdown schedule to chat with us about his exciting Lost World of Bayside Fossils project that is sure to excite every member in your family.

Q. Hi Ben, when did you begin your path into palaeontology begin?

My path into palaeontology was not conventional. It all started when I was four years old when I was given a book about life before man.

As I grew older, I became interested in whales. I remember a time when I asked my school teacher “How big is the biggest whale” and he said “Ben, I want you to run down to the end of the basketball court and all the way back again. That’s the size of the blue whale” I’ll never forget that. After year 12, I went to university and studied environmental science, although I didn’t like it very much. I was more fixated on the living world, biology and evolution.

On a whim, when I was 19 years old, I rode my bike down to Beaumaris after hearing whispers there were fossils to be found there. Lo-and-behold, there were fossils scattered everywhere.

After that, I would travel down to Beaumaris as often as possible.

I started finding bones, shark teeth and fragments of seal skulls. After six months, I accumulated quite a collection and presented my finds to Senior Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology Dr. Erich M.G. Fitzgerald at Museum Victoria. He was taken aback by what I had found and asked if I’d like to volunteer at the museum. All the curators and collection managers at the museum start as volunteers in order to get that in-depth knowledge.

I would go to the museum on a Friday every single week from 9 am to 7 pm, go through the drawers, speak to the other curators and absorb as much information as possible.

After finishing my degree, focussing on geology and biology, there was a job going as a Vertebrate Palaeontologist Preparator at the museum. This was the first time a job had come up in this field for a long time.

Q. Is it difficult to find work as a Palaeontologist?

Yes, it is. My boss Dr. Erich M.G. Fitzgerald was the first whale palaeontologist in Australia, ever. He was recently quoted in a newspaper, saying:

“It is harder to become a palaeontologist than an astronaut in Australia.”

I am very lucky to do this job, I absolutely adore it. To find these amazing specimens that have never been found before, and to work with some great people, is incredibly exciting.

I do have to constantly apply for funding, which is the issue that comes with science. Rejection is a big part of it. If the funding does not come, the Lost World of Bayside Fossils work cannot continue, and applying for funding can take a huge amount of time.

Q. How has COVID-19 affected your work?

COVID-19 has made things more difficult, not just for palaeontology, but for all science as a whole. We don’t quite know what will happen in 2021. Also, my favourite thing to do is to give talks and I haven’t been able to do any this year.

Q. Can you tell us about the discoveries you have uncovered in Bayside Melbourne?

Every single dive is yielding material that has some kind of scientific importance. Not just important in Bayside, not just in Melbourne but in Australian palaeo history as a whole.

Q. What equipment do you need to find fossils?

I free dive and walk on the seafloor. The most important tools we need to find specimens are our eyes – in the water and on the beaches.

I work with a team of people and the most valuable resources we have are volunteers looking for this material. When I started working on the Lost World of Bayside Fossils project, there were volunteers already involved in the work, finding fossils and donating to the museum. Some have been doing so for thirty years.

The team is finding fossils in water between 0.25 and 5 metres in depth, although it takes a special eye to find these fossils because they’re covered in algae. You must know the texture of whale bones or what the elements of a skull look like. Having that internal knowledge is what’s most useful.

Q. Why are the fossil sites in Bayside Melbourne so unique?

If you think of any other fossil site around the world, palaeontologists are using hammers and chisels. You don’t need that for Bayside.

This material erodes out naturally from the bottom of the seafloor.

Q. Tell us about some of your significant fossil finds in Bayside Melbourne

Just yesterday a paper was released documenting the seals of Beaumaris. Every single one of the seal fossils that we have found has been of significant importance.

What makes Beaumaris and Bayside unique is that it is an evolutionary melting pot for several unique animal lineages. This is a hub of history and helps us understand the evolution of whales. Bayside is the only place on the continent that you can find specimens of the largest bird that ever took to the sky – the “Pelagornis” with its bizarre pseudo-teeth. We found evidence of dugongs, of giant lumbering marsupials the size of cows and the predatory macroraptorial sperm whales.

Then there is the Megladon, the same size as a humpback whale, with 250 teeth, some the size of your hand! We’ve got evidence here of two top predators in an environment that we don’t see today – a bizarre ecological niche that has been preserved and not seen anywhere else in Australia. We can utilise these fossils to better understand their evolutionary origin.

This is one of the most unique fossil sites in all of Australia because it preserves so much diversity that we didn’t think was possible.

Part of the team found an interesting fossil in March 2020, the upper jaw of a beaked whale. The matching segment of this specimen was found in 1977 and was the oldest evidence of beaked whales in Australia.

Q. What is your favourite fossil find?

My favourite fossil, although not one that I found, is the predatory macroraptorial sperm whale tooth that was found by a colleague on the beach in Beaumaris in 2016. This is the youngest evidence of these killer sperm whales on the planet. For me, the Megladon tooth that I found in 2018 was pretty special because they are very rare.

We managed to find a new site in Bayside thanks to our citizen scientist team. While in the water I found a dense horseshoe-like bone sticking out. I lifted it out of the sand only to discover it to be a tooth the size of my hand.

Q. Tell us about the first fossil you found.

It was a specimen that I found in 2010, representing part of a skull of an ancient group of seals that no longer exist today. These seals were much, much smaller than those you would find today.

Q. At what locations have you conducted studies other than Bayside?

In 2017-2018 we led several expeditions down to the Surf Coast – Jan Juc, Torquay and Bells Beach. We had a lot of success. We found evidence of animals dating back 25 million years with bits of skulls and articulated pieces. These specimens re-write what we understand of the evolution of these animals.

Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world to look for fossils, where would it be?

If I could visit any geological formation in the world, it would be the Pisco Formation in Peru. It’s a giant desert that dates back around nine million years and all you do to find things is look for a blip in the sand. Usually, when you find a blip you’ll find a skull. It’s where they found the very first specimen of macro-raptorial sperm whale.

Q. What do you think of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchise?

I grew up with Jurassic Park. We all love Jurassic Park and thought it was the greatest movie of all time. Then Jurassic World came around. We were all very excited to see it. A group of us, a number of palaeontologists, booked to watch it at IMAX, and well.. we all completely hated it! It was so inaccurate. We would look at it and say “Who would design a Pterosaur like that”; it looked more like a winged bat than anything. There were so many inconsistencies; that was the most frustrating thing. The story was fine but it was how these animals were portrayed. I was sitting next to one of my colleagues who works with Sauropods and, well, I thought he was going to throw his popcorn at the screen.

The original Jurassic Park in 1993 opened up an entire new world of palaeontology, whereas the newest films are not focussing on the palaeontology; they’re more about the shock factor.”

Why do you have to make a new dinosaur? There are so many interesting dinosaurs that are already out there like the Therizinosaurus with its huge scythe-like fingers that are more than a metre in length or the Physeter, the largest toothed predator.

Q. Will we be able see some of your work?

Our hope is that when we can, and when it is safe to do so, we will hold an exhibition of the fossil specimens that we have found, and we will be able to show what we’ve been up to.

You can follow Ben’s journey on Instagram @a_fools_experiment where you will also find links to his exciting YouTube channel.

Erica hails from the United Kingdom, and has been living in Australia for 15 years. She has two sons 7 & 12 years. She writes, edits and runs the social media pages for KidTown Melbourne, a website showcasing all the fun things to do with kids in Melbourne.

www.kidtownmelbourne.com

Peninsula Kids – Summer 2020/21

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Portsea Quarantine Station Point Nepean National Park
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Located in one of the State's most picturesque settings, this market has so much to offer. Flowers bunched and potted spill out onto the walkway [...]
More Info
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
30 Mar
March 30, 2024    
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
  • School Holidays
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Guests are introduced to Melbourne’s newest residents, Plugga, Chandler and Dave A splashing good time [...]
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Twilight Mini golf these Autumn School Holidays
30 Mar
March 30, 2024    
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Boneo Discovery Park
  • Family Activity
  • School Holidays
  • Workshop/Class
TWILIGHT MINI GOLF  AUTUMN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS As the days grow shorter and the nights become warmer, seize the opportunity to make the most of the [...]
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Bittern Sunday Market
31 Mar
March 31, 2024    
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bittern Railway Station
  • Markets
Bittern Sunday Market is a Community Market run by Volunteers with the purpose to raise funds to support local groups/activities. All money raised will go [...]
More Info
Easter Egg-traviganza at Boneo Discovery Park
31 Mar
March 31, 2024    
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Boneo Discovery Park
  • Family Activity
  • Festival/Expo
  • Other
  • School Holidays
Easter Egg Hunt Sunday 31st March 2024 Hop into the Easter spirit at Boneo Discovery Park for an egg-stravaganza of fun! Our day starts with [...]
More Info
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
31 Mar
March 31, 2024    
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
  • School Holidays
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Guests are introduced to Melbourne’s newest residents, Plugga, Chandler and Dave A splashing good time [...]
More Info
Events on February 28, 2024
Mornington Main Street Market
Mornington Main Street Market
28 Feb 24
Mornington
Events on February 29, 2024
29 Feb
Hastings Street Market
29 Feb 24
Hastings
Events on March 2, 2024
02 Mar
Rye Foreshore Market
2 Mar 24
Rye
02 Mar
Red Hill Community Market
2 Mar 24
Red Hill
02 Mar
Mordi Fest
2 Mar 24
Mordialloc
Events on March 3, 2024
03 Mar
Bittern Sunday Market
3 Mar 24
Bittern
03 Mar
Mordi Fest
3 Mar 24
Mordialloc
Events on March 6, 2024
Mornington Main Street Market
Mornington Main Street Market
6 Mar 24
Mornington
Events on March 7, 2024
07 Mar
Hastings Street Market
7 Mar 24
Hastings
Events on March 9, 2024
09 Mar
Rosebud Community School Market
9 Mar 24
Rosebud
09 Mar
Red Hill Show
9 Mar 24
Red Hill
09 Mar
Point Nepean Portsea Market
9 Mar 24
Portsea VIC 3944, Australia
more...
Events on March 10, 2024
10 Mar
Bittern Sunday Market
10 Mar 24
Bittern
10 Mar
Tyabb Airshow
10 Mar 24
Tyabb
Mornington Racecourse Market
Mornington Racecourse Market
10 Mar 24
Mornington
Events on March 11, 2024
11 Mar
Someville Family Day
11 Mar 24
Somerville
Events on March 13, 2024
Mornington Main Street Market
Mornington Main Street Market
13 Mar 24
Mornington
Events on March 14, 2024
14 Mar
Hastings Street Market
14 Mar 24
Hastings
Events on March 16, 2024
16 Mar
Petstock Foundation’s National Pet Adoption Weekend
16 Mar 24
16 Mar
Boneo Community Market
16 Mar 24
Boneo
16 Mar
Pearcedale Market
16 Mar 24
Pearcedale
more...
Events on March 17, 2024
17 Mar
Bittern Sunday Market
17 Mar 24
Bittern
Mornington Racecourse Market
Mornington Racecourse Market
17 Mar 24
Mornington
17 Mar
Monthly Repair Workshop
17 Mar 24
HASTINGS
Events on March 20, 2024
Mornington Main Street Market
Mornington Main Street Market
20 Mar 24
Mornington
Events on March 21, 2024
21 Mar
Hastings Street Market
21 Mar 24
Hastings
Events on March 23, 2024
23 Mar
Dromana Community Market
23 Mar 24
Dromana
23 Mar
Little Beauty Market
23 Mar 24
Frankston
Events on March 24, 2024
24 Mar
Bittern Sunday Market
24 Mar 24
Bittern
24 Mar
Mount Eliza Farmers' Market
24 Mar 24
Mt Eliza
Events on March 27, 2024
Mornington Main Street Market
Mornington Main Street Market
27 Mar 24
Mornington
27 Mar
Charge up your Dragon Core at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre. A NINJAGO quest awaits!
27 Mar 24
Chadstone
27 Mar
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
27 Mar 24
Melbourne
Events on March 28, 2024
28 Mar
Hastings Street Market
28 Mar 24
Hastings
28 Mar
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
28 Mar 24
Melbourne
Events on March 29, 2024
29 Mar
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
29 Mar 24
Melbourne
29 Mar
Rye Easter Carnival
29 Mar 24
Rye
29 Mar
Twilight Mini golf these Autumn School Holidays
29 Mar 24
Fingal
Events on March 30, 2024
30 Mar
Point Nepean Portsea Market
30 Mar 24
Portsea VIC 3944, Australia
30 Mar
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
30 Mar 24
Melbourne
30 Mar
Twilight Mini golf these Autumn School Holidays
30 Mar 24
Fingal
Events on March 31, 2024
31 Mar
Bittern Sunday Market
31 Mar 24
Bittern
31 Mar
Easter Egg-traviganza at Boneo Discovery Park
31 Mar 24
Fingal
31 Mar
Turtley awesome school holiday fun at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
31 Mar 24
Melbourne
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Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

MPNG also publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

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Instagram
Grab your cameras and hot choccies! Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston!
When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you’re invited to interact and play among the lights during this free event!
——————————————————————————
#southsidefestival #neonfields #frankston #beautypark #visitfrankston #whatson #whatsonthisweekend #thingstodo #freeevent #photoops #lovepeninsulakids 
@southsidefestivalfrankston
mornpenkids
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Grab your cameras and hot choccies! Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston! When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you’re invited to interact and play among the lights during this free event! —————————————————————————— #southsidefestival #neonfields #frankston #beautypark #visitfrankston #whatson #whatsonthisweekend #thingstodo #freeevent #photoops #lovepeninsulakids @southsidefestivalfrankston
2 days ago
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1/9
In July, Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Senior Neurologist at The RCH Foundation, will embark on a remarkable solo flight around Australia to raise $4.5 million for life-changing treatments for children with rare and complex conditions.

Called Fly for the Kids, this one-of-a-kind fundraiser will help establish dedicated spaces, resources, and specialist staff at the RCH, making advanced therapies — including revolutionary gene therapy — more accessible to sick children across Australia.

Andrew’s journey will see him revisit patients whose lives have been transformed by advanced therapies, putting real faces and stories to the incredible impact of this innovation in paediatric healthcare.

You can learn more about the campaign here: https://flyforthekids.org.au 

@rch.foundation
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
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In July, Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Senior Neurologist at The RCH Foundation, will embark on a remarkable solo flight around Australia to raise $4.5 million for life-changing treatments for children with rare and complex conditions. Called Fly for the Kids, this one-of-a-kind fundraiser will help establish dedicated spaces, resources, and specialist staff at the RCH, making advanced therapies — including revolutionary gene therapy — more accessible to sick children across Australia. Andrew’s journey will see him revisit patients whose lives have been transformed by advanced therapies, putting real faces and stories to the incredible impact of this innovation in paediatric healthcare. You can learn more about the campaign here: https://flyforthekids.org.au @rch.foundation
3 days ago
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2/9
Breast Cancer Trials, ANZ’s largest oncology research group, is holding a ‘matched giving day’ on Thursday, 8th May where – for 24 hours only, donations from the public will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of generous supporters. Every dollar raised will be doubled to help fund clinical breast cancer research.

How can people get involved:
Donate online at breastcancertrials.org.au/givingday (this will go live On Thursday 8th May)
Donate by calling 1800 423 444
Follow Breast Cancer Trials on socials and share their own stories, thanks and memories of their mums and mother-figures.

@breastcancertrials
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
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Breast Cancer Trials, ANZ’s largest oncology research group, is holding a ‘matched giving day’ on Thursday, 8th May where – for 24 hours only, donations from the public will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of generous supporters. Every dollar raised will be doubled to help fund clinical breast cancer research. How can people get involved: Donate online at breastcancertrials.org.au/givingday (this will go live On Thursday 8th May) Donate by calling 1800 423 444 Follow Breast Cancer Trials on socials and share their own stories, thanks and memories of their mums and mother-figures. @breastcancertrials
4 days ago
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3/9
Cute Mother's Day craft to do with the kids for mum!

https://peninsulakids.com.au/spiral-paper-flowers/

#mothersday #crat #craftingwithkids #kidslovecraft #homemadegifts
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
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Cute Mother's Day craft to do with the kids for mum! https://peninsulakids.com.au/spiral-paper-flowers/ #mothersday #crat #craftingwithkids #kidslovecraft #homemadegifts
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
One of my fave parts of Mother's Day, (other than the at-home day spa), is receiving these questionnaires full of funny answers, (and sometimes some hard truths), from my kids.

https://peninsulakids.com.au/craft-whats-the-best-thing-about-your-mum/
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
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One of my fave parts of Mother's Day, (other than the at-home day spa), is receiving these questionnaires full of funny answers, (and sometimes some hard truths), from my kids. https://peninsulakids.com.au/craft-whats-the-best-thing-about-your-mum/
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Today we received a gorgeous entry for our colouring in competition from a 75 year-old reader of Peninsula Kids magazine in the actual MAIL! 💌

This has made my day so much that I may have to pay the entrant a visit with a special prize for all their effort and for giving me a huge smile on a Monday!

How’s that artwork?!?!?! 🤩

Have you sent your entry in? 
IG: Use Linktree in bio to download a copy.
FB: check out pinned/featured post. 🧑‍🎨 
@chocolate.grove 
——————————————————————————
#peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #colouringin #colouringincompetition #chocolate #chocolatehamper
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
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Today we received a gorgeous entry for our colouring in competition from a 75 year-old reader of Peninsula Kids magazine in the actual MAIL! 💌 This has made my day so much that I may have to pay the entrant a visit with a special prize for all their effort and for giving me a huge smile on a Monday! How’s that artwork?!?!?! 🤩 Have you sent your entry in? IG: Use Linktree in bio to download a copy. FB: check out pinned/featured post. 🧑‍🎨 @chocolate.grove —————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #colouringin #colouringincompetition #chocolate #chocolatehamper
2 weeks ago
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6/9
#anzacday #lestweforget
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
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#anzacday #lestweforget
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
The piggest news is about to drop! 🐷
Be among the first to hear the squeal-worthy scoop, in just a few days time!
Knock! Knock! Who’s there?

Do you think Peppa and George will have a baby brother or sister? Drop your guess in the comments below!

#expectingPigChanges #PeppaPigNewBaby #BigSister #BigBrother 

@officialpeppapig
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
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The piggest news is about to drop! 🐷 Be among the first to hear the squeal-worthy scoop, in just a few days time! Knock! Knock! Who’s there? Do you think Peppa and George will have a baby brother or sister? Drop your guess in the comments below! #expectingPigChanges #PeppaPigNewBaby #BigSister #BigBrother @officialpeppapig
2 weeks ago
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8/9
⏰ Don’t Be Late for This Important Date!

🎩 On now through 20th April, the stylish boutique hotel, Hotel Chadstone, is bringing the magic of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to life. Inspired by the famous Mad Hatter’s tea party, this whimsical high tea invites you to delight in both sweet and savoury creations that reflect the fantastical nature of Wonderland.

🐇 Bookings are essential. For reservations, please call +61 3 9108 3333 or email info@altusrooftop.com.au

#madhattershightea #madhatter #dontbelate #hightea #schoolholidays #schoolhols #thingstodo #chadstone #altus #chaddy #funforall #familytime #gettogether #drinktea #teatime
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
⏰ Don’t Be Late for This Important Date! 🎩 On now through 20th April, the stylish boutique hotel, Hotel Chadstone, is bringing the magic of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to life. Inspired by the famous Mad Hatter’s tea party, this whimsical high tea invites you to delight in both sweet and savoury creations that reflect the fantastical nature of Wonderland. 🐇 Bookings are essential. For reservations, please call +61 3 9108 3333 or email info@altusrooftop.com.au #madhattershightea #madhatter #dontbelate #hightea #schoolholidays #schoolhols #thingstodo #chadstone #altus #chaddy #funforall #familytime #gettogether #drinktea #teatime
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
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