This week at Davis: 4 April 2014

Nick provides a cryptic illustration after experiencing a few recent blizzards on station.

During the week we experienced a number of days of heavy snowfall which is always a welcoming sight. There is nothing more stunning than to see white fluffy snow lying around, especially late in the evenings when the sun sets and turns the white into light shades of red, orange and yellow.

Getting around station on foot and in vehicles can be challenging at times but our efficient snow-moving team ensure roads will be rebuilt as soon as the weather clears.

Last Friday afternoon, Davis expeditioners arrived at the EVS (emergency vehicle shelter) to participate in the Fire Team Olympics (or training may be a better word to use). 

Three teams participated: Team 1 lead by Alyce, team 2 by Adam and team 3 by Stuart, and let’s just say there was a slight hint of ‘competition fever’ in the air. Teams were judged on speed, accuracy and teamwork across a number of official events such as rolling hoses, putting on turn-out gear and BA, and pick the obvious mistakes with those who deliberately did not wear their turn-out gear correctly.

Judge Stu (now you are probably wondering how can a judge also lead one of the teams) scored and rated competitors, before declaring the winner and awarding the prizes. The outcome? Stu’s team did share the prizes with all competitors.

This week one of our cameras followed Val (station plumber) around station to capture what he does on a typical day. From monitoring the reverse osmosis plant, repairing pipes, ensuring the station has running water constantly, nothing overheats or freezes, checking gas supplies and fittings and much more. To say you need to be a ‘Jack of All Trades’ is an understatement.

One of the many attractions for an expedition mechanic working in Antarctica is the variety of equipment they get to work with. From outboard motors to specialised tracked plant, it gets no better than this! Craig is certainly loving the variety on offer.

For those old enough to remember the Partridge family on television you may relate to the following photos. Last Saturday night the station and expeditioners turned back the clock 40 years to the good old days of “Peace, man” and groovy times. The party theme — ‘Hippie and Flower Power’ — was attended by all, with a few arriving to the party in a ‘Kombi van'. Also, it was a little embarrassing knowing many of us remembered every word to the Seekers songs. 

A big thank you goes to the organisers of the hippie party  — well done.

Rob Isaac — CTO

What did you do before this?

I was a Communications Electronics Technician in the Royal Australian Air Force for seven years, including a lot of field work and a deployment to the Middle East. I discharged from the RAAF the week before I started at AAD in Kingston, Tasmania (and haven’t shaved since).

Why Antarctica?

Why not? I’ve been to a few places around the world with the RAAF, but none of them as amazing as down here.

Previous Antarctic experience?

I’ve seen March of the Penguins, Happy Feet and Eight Below.

How will you spend your time down here?

A career as a CETech in the RAAF turns you into a jack-of-all-trades, so I will brush up on my radio/RF knowledge, but also spend a bit of spare time studying for some Cisco networking qualifications. I also have a bunch of shiny new camera gear that I intend to master before I get back to Oz. Last of all, I have a sizeable back-catalogue of books to conquer.

What will you miss?

I feel obliged to say family and friends, but really I’ll miss my motorbikes the most!

Best thing about being here?

…is being here! The (very long) list of Really Good Things down here is too evenly spread to call any one of them the best.

The sights, sounds and smells at Davis…