Melody Horrill
Melody Horrill | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1968 United Kingdom |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, television presenter, communications/media manager, author |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Dolphin conservation advocacy, environmental documentaries, memoir "A Dolphin Called Jock" |
Melody Horrill (born 1968 in the United Kingdom, relocated to Australia in 1976) is a journalist, former television presenter, and communications/media manager. She penned the memoir A Dolphin Called Jock (Allen and Unwin 2022), which narrates how her connection with a wild dolphin from the Port River played a pivotal role in her recovery from a childhood affected by domestic violence. Horrill is currently an active advocate for the conservation of Port River dolphins.
Early years and involvement with dolphin conservation
Having emigrated from England to South Australia during her childhood, Horrill experienced a challenging family environment. In April 2021, she contributed an article to the Weekend Australian magazine that detailed her difficult early life.
During her university studies, inspired by lecturer Mike Bossley, Horrill began volunteering with the Port River dolphins in Adelaide. Alongside peers, she co-founded the Australian Dolphin Research Foundation aimed at protecting these dolphins and promoting public awareness. Throughout her media career, she initiated a dolphin sponsorship scheme, secured television sponsorships, and enhanced community participation in South Australia through extensive media outreach. Horrill also coordinated educational visits for schools and local groups and negotiated a sponsorship agreement with a regional bakery that showcased an albino dolphin illustration on its bread packaging.
She produced the documentary Dance with a Dolphin, focusing on a lone Port River dolphin named Jock; this film was broadcast internationally on CNN. The Foundation’s advocacy efforts, along with the documentary’s impact, were instrumental in prompting the State Government to establish the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary in 2005.
Professional media trajectory
Horrill’s media journey commenced in 1995 on a Channel 10 wine program before she transitioned to reporting for Central Television (now Southern Cross Television) in Whyalla. She later freelanced for ABC-TV Adelaide and served as an environment reporter at Nine before returning to Channel Ten. There, she covered local and national news stories and produced environmental documentaries focused on South Australian subjects, including one about dolphins that aired on both Network Ten and CNN. Reflecting in 2020, she credited CNN’s international broadcast with aiding the creation of Australia’s inaugural Dolphin Sanctuary in the Port River—an achievement she regards as significant.
In 2004, Horrill joined Seven News Adelaide as a weather presenter and reporter, remaining until 2013 when she departed to explore new career avenues. After working as a media consultant based in Darwin, she joined Melbourne’s 3AW radio station and subsequently became media and communications manager at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, where she supported communications during natural disasters such as the 2019/20 bushfires.
Her dedication to Port River dolphin conservation included writing for the Weekend Australian and participating in interviews with ABC Adelaide and 3AW to elevate public understanding of preservation efforts. Horrill highlighted how her personal relationship with these dolphins contributed significantly to overcoming her childhood trauma.
Memoir publication, additional works, and recent activities
In May 2022, Allen & Unwin released Horrill’s memoir A Dolphin Called Jock, which chronicles her traumatic childhood and subsequent healing through her bond with a wild dolphin from the Port River. In September 2023, Canada’s Greystone Books republished the memoir under the title The Dolphin Who Saved Me for distribution across North America and the UK. The book received endorsement from esteemed ethologist Dr Jane Goodall DBE and is also featured in British actor Martin Clunes's December 2024 publication Meetings with Remarkable Animals.
By January 2025, Horrill had authored two further titles: the young adult novel A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe (12 Willows Press), inspired by her rescue cat and addressing themes of self-esteem and environmental stewardship; alongside Sheltered (Ultimo Press), a non-fiction anthology emphasizing how rescue animals influence their human caretakers. The latter received commendations from Dr Jane Goodall DBE and Lady Primrose Potter AC.
Horrill holds the position of co-chair on the Jane Goodall Institute’s international Cetacean Committee. On August 21, 2023, she publicly denounced the passing of orca Tokitae (Lolita), underscoring the urgent necessity to end captivity of marine mammals exploited for entertainment purposes. Additionally, she serves as an Ambassador for Kangaroo/Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch as well as Retired Police Dogs SA.