Lake Cathie's ocean warrior Shalise Leesfield has gone global representing Australia at the Parley Ocean Youth Uprise Summit in Hawaii.
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Shalise, one of only two people representing Australia, said it was the experience of a lifetime connecting with major figures in the quest to rid the ocean of rubbish.
"It was honestly one of the most inspiring weeks of my life spending it with people who are so passionate about protecting the environment and the ocean," Shalise said.
"It was amazing to connect with 28 young people from around the world who are each doing their own really amazing thing to help look after our ocean.
"We all shared our passion with each other and it felt so good to know there were people just like me out there all over the world."
Shalise's fight locally to remove fishing line from the ocean and our local waterways is well known but she said she learnt so much from spending time with world's leaders in environmentalism.
"We heard from a lot of guest speakers, but my favourite speaker was captain Paul Watson who is the captain of Sea Sheppard who Skyped in to talk to us," she said.
"We learnt so much about marine animals and about some of the great work being done to help save our oceans. It was amazing to have some really big names just hang out and talk to us so casually about the work we are doing.
"There were also some pretty sad moments. We did a huge beach clean up at one of the most polluted beaches on the island we stayed at and it was really sad.
"The Hawaiian people love their beaches and in our experience really care for the ocean but ocean pollution is everyone's problem and we all need to do our part."
She said the highlight of her trip was swimming and snorkeling with sea turtles.
"Sea turtles and dolphins are some of my favourite animals and to swim with them was truly amazing. It was honestly the best moment ever swimming and seeing the turtles at eye level - it was incredible.
"However we also learnt that if sea turtles go extinct -which very well might happen- there will be some major consequences including an over population of jelly fish which is pretty sad.
"Overall it was truly the trip of a lifetime."
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