Mission statement
The mission of the Rodney Fox Shark Museum is to inspire understanding and respect for some of the world’s most misunderstood predators, through education and research. Centred around great white sharks, but with displays also focussing on the lesser-known species of sharks and rays, the carefully curated collection takes visitors on an ocean journey spanning both the whole continent and several decades of discovery. The Rodney Fox Shark Museum also tells the Rodney Fox story, which is deeply personal and interwoven with the history of shark bites, research and movies.
Background information
The Rodney Fox Shark Museum and learning Centre is located in an old church building in Mile End, close to Adelaide CBD, which provides a beautiful setting for the extensive collection. The items were collected by Rodney Fox and Mark Tozer over the years, some used to be displayed in the old shark museum in Glenelg.
The museum tells Rodney’s story, from his shark bite in 1963, the development of the first shark cage, and most importantly Rodney’s involvement in the filming of ‘Jaws’ (1975). Items have also been contributed by friends such as Ron and Valerie Taylor, Peter Benchley, Greg Pickering to name a few.
The continued involvement of Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions in white shark research in South Australia means the collection is continuously updated with items providing insights into current shark ecology research methods, and also shark deterrents.
Additional parts of the collection grew organically over the years, inspired by the head Mark’s love for the ocean, technical diving, famous ship wrecks, and his strong involvement in the professional and recreational dive community in South Australia.
