Seeing is Believing

Seeing is Believing

I’m nine years old. I think it’s the greatest year to be alive.

So, Sierra, can you tell me what you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an author. Because it’s a chance I get to use my imagination.

I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up. My two favourite animals is a turtle and a jellyfish.

I’d like to be a helicopter doctor because I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and I really love helicopters.

So, can you name some authors for me?

David Walliams, Roald Dahl and um …

I look up to Charles Darwin and Jacques Cousteau.

Do you think there’s more men or women who do that job?

I don’t think it’s a job that women would be interested in.

Why?

Because I think women would be more into being a nurse.

There’s more boys than girls that do it. Maybe girls aren’t just interested in more of that stuff.

Girls – they like fairies and mermaids and stuff like that, but they’re not really real.

We’ve got someone coming to meet you now.

Helicopter doctor: Hi, I’m Claire.

Hi, Claire.

Helicopter doctor: I’m one of the helicopter doctors. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too.

Helicopter doctor: How are you going?

Good. I’m really excited!

My name is Sam. I work here at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and I’m a marine biologist here.

My name is Jacqueline Harvey. Do you know what I do for a job? What do I do?

Write.

I write books. Do you like reading?

Do you want to get in?

Yes!

Up you hop! Where you’re sitting is exactly where I sit when we fly.

Really?

Yep! Exactly where I sit.

I’m in charge of this team and I look after absolutely everything in here. So, we have two dugongs and we have a whole bunch of sharks and rays which are …

I wrote a book called The Old Woman Who Lived In A Tree.

Oh! So why don’t you read me the first page?

Once upon a time, there was an old lady who lived in a tree. One day, the old lady went for a walk.

So you can be an anaesthetic doctor, or you can be an intensive care doctor or an emergency doctor. There are so many different options.

Cool!

Yeah.

There’s not really a difference about ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ writing. So they can both become an author.

I was like ‘Oh my gosh! I’ve only researched about the boy marine biologists. Now I’ve finally met a girl one!’ Like … just a dream!

Is there anything a boy can do that a girl can’t do?

No. If you want to do something, you do it.

Good look. Suits you.

Thank you.

When I’m older, those little girls will have someone to look up to because that’s going to be me.