An accomplished scuba diver, underwater photographer and skilled communicator, Trent would often dress in his persona of “Seaweed Stevie” and share his stories to explain the threats posed to the ecology of our seas and oceans.
In his spare time, Trent was a tireless volunteer for Sea Shepherd in the preparation of the Steve Irwin and other vessels ahead of their months-long crusades into the Southern Ocean to stop the killing of whales. He led weekend clean-ups of beaches from Lakes Entrance to Westernport and Port Phillip, often returning with hundreds of kilograms of debris. He led remote clean-ups in Arnhem Land working with the indigenous Dhimurru rangers on country sacred to the Yolngu people; and closer to home, organised teams of divers to collect debris and litter from the seabed.
More than six tonnes of rubbish were removed by hand from Victoria’s waterways under Trent’s leadership. He also joined the Save Flinders Pier campaign to help protect the precious underwater habitat of the weedy sea dragon at one of his favourite diving locations. Trent’s easy-going nature, encyclopaedic knowledge of the marine environment and passion for conservation galvanised supporters in all his voluntary endeavours.
Trent touched the lives of everyone he met. He was a force for good, signing all his emails with a simple phrase: The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. His was a genuine belief that education could overcome society’s environmental challenges; and that every item removed from the sea that doesn’t belong there, contributes to making our oceans healthier and our marine environment more sustainable.
Trent is survived by his three children Ella, Ethan and Keely, partner Karen Spencer and parents Rod Williams and Nola Heaney.
