Name: Christine MacMillian
Nicknames: Chris
From: Noosa, originally from California
Previous seasons? First one
Job title: Station Leader
Describe your role in two sentences:
The role focuses on the overall management of the station; including facilitating science projects, coordinating operations and leading and working with an extraordinary group of people in an amazing place.
What did you do before your joined the AAD? I worked in Australia’s Search and Rescue program for 15 years and before that in the United States Coast guard in many operational positions both on ships and ashore.
What is your favourite part of your job here at Casey?
Working with great people
If you were not a Search and Rescue specialist, what would be your dream job?
I think I had it
How does this season at Casey compare to your previous seasons down south?
N/A
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Being outside but if I have to be inside; running on the treadmill, yoga, using the gym, reading, playing scrabble, darts, eating…
What song sums up your Casey experience so far?
These Are Days — 10,000 Maniacs
What actor would play you in a film version of our 72nd ANARE season here at Casey?
Cate Blanchett — an Australian — with ties to the USA and a great actress
Favourite piece of Australian Antarctic Division kit?
My goose down jacket
What is your favourite book / movie (or both) and why?
I am an avid reader — but the book that I recommend the most is probably Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth. Its a great story, well written.
Movie — Sound of Music - it brings back wonderful family memories
What is your typical ‘Slushy FM’ genre? Do you have a particular favourite?
I really like almost any music and particularly enjoy being introduced to new artists
Describe your Casey experience with: a sight, a smell, a sound, a feeling and a taste.
Sight — the view out my window over iceberg ally
Smell — most everything that Jordan cooks
Sound — the ice cracking and ice cliffs falling
Feeling — the sun on my face as I sit outside
Taste — fresh salad from hydroponics
Do you have a favourite quote that you’d like to leave us with?
Let’s go to the beach, housework can always wait (my mother, all her life)
Something people may not know about you:
The opening scene in the movie Clear & Present Danger — was based on me when I was Commanding Officer of a US Coast Guard Patrol Boat.