Michael Whittle has completed four periods of service with ANARE as station carpenter, distinguishing himself as a competent tradesman by achieving high standards of work, often in difficult circumstances. However it was his willingness to take on extra duties that characterised his outstanding approach to station work and life.
At Casey station, in 1996, he played a major part in preparing vehicles for the traverses that took place that year and in his own time carried out much needed repairs and maintenance to a number of field huts.
At Macquarie Island, in 1998, he provided valuable support to the science program by continuing the Elephant Seals re-sight program in the absence of the supervising scientist. This required making daily field trips, and monthly expeditions around the island, often in cold, wet and windy conditions.
Michael assisted the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service rangers on the island with the feral cat eradication program and also carried out the duties of Electoral Returning Officer and Store person.
He has shown an exceptional capacity for hard work in all environmental conditions and willingness to give of his time, often enabling programs to be completed that may otherwise have not been carried out.