Nautilus discovery no. 3

A RECENTLY married couple uncovered a rare nautilus paper shell on the beach of Point Addis at high tide on their wedding day in January, the third nautilus discovery reported to the Surf Coast Times this year. Stephanie and Justin Humphrey said the shell was in perfect condition and had washed up on shore just next to the Point.

“We happened to stumble upon it as we were there getting our professional photos taken,” the pair said.

“At first we were unaware of how rare the shell was until we arrived back at our reception and were informed by our guests that it was a nautilus paper shell.

“We thought this was such a lucky sign because they are so rare. It made our wedding day even more special.”

Stephanie’s mother, Judy, suggested it was her late grandmother sending the couple a good luck sign as the nautilus was her favourite shell.

“My bridesmaid, Maddy, joked that it could be a sign of fertility as the nautilus paper shell is created by a female argonaut to house her eggs,” Stephanie said.

“All of our friends and family see our discovery as a sign of luck.”

On January 19, Bellbrae Primary School student Hazel Kadera found a nautilus paper shell at a remote beach in Jamieson Creek.

In early February, 10-year-old Franca Eddy spotted a nautilus at Lorne Pier and took it to her Anglesea home before having it framed.

On average, only three nautilus paper shells are washed ashore every seven years. It’s not known whether Hazel and Franca discovered the same shell.

Stephanie said she and her husband Justin are going to display the shell in their house alongside their wedding photos.