Fifteen-year-old Jade McNeil became one of the lucky few when she interned for a week at Dolphin Marine Magic in Coffs Harbour. 

“I was too young the first time I applied,” the Brauer College student said. 

“So the next year I applied and got in.”

The iconic pet porpoise pool in New South Wales is home to a mixture of 10 seals, five dolphins, 19 penguins and turtles. 

As an intern, Jade was required to assist with feeding and training while being educated on everything to do with the marine creatures. 

“I got to play with the dolphins which was awesome,” she said.

"You throw a ball and they bring it back to you and catch it and stuff. It was amazing.”

Dolphin Marine Magic volunteer co-ordinator Jess Eggeling said the program was extremely competitive. 

“Our internships and work experience are hard to get and are booked up more than a year in advance,” she said. 

“There’s a pretty thorough application process that we put the students through because we just can’t take everyone.”

Looking to the future, year 10 student Jade is hoping to study something animal related. 

She said even though she had a lot of schoolwork to come home to, she would happily repeat the experience in a heartbeat.