Recently, our Seagrass Project Officer Alex Gibson had the opportunity to fly to Perth to attend a marine polychaete (worm) taxonomy course at Murdoch University, led by senior curators and scientists from the Australian Museum and Museums Victoria. Participants learned how to recognise Australian marine worm families during a series of lectures and practical laboratory sessions, covering worm ecology, physical form and reproduction. Freshly collected and preserved specimens were provided, and ‘BYO’ worms were also welcomed! Alex brought along Broome’s common mudflat dweller, the green paddle worm. This worm is sometimes mistaken for Phyllodoce novaehollandia, however inspection of the worm’s throat organ revealed it was in fact P. malmgreni. The training was an opportunity to expand networks, meet scientists and fellow worm enthusiasts, and gain skills in worm identification to enhance understanding of benthic ecosystems.