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Our schedule has us alongside Macquarie Wharf 4 in Hobart at 1000
tomorrow morning without having to fire up the second engine so this
should be the last sitrep of the voyage. Following our arrival there
will be a short ceremony to recognise expeditioners' contribution to
Australia's Antarctic program and then we all go our separate ways
having spent a voyage, summer, or, for a few, a summer & winter with the
program.
The Voyage Management Team wish those returning on V6 every success in
getting into Mawson next time; sorry we weren't able to deliver on this
trip!
Last night was our penultimate night aboard and all enjoyed the fun
atmosphere of our last special occasion combined with the traditional
charity auction. A total of over $9500 was raised for items ranging
through the navigation chart used on the voyage, hand-made jewellery,
decorative rope work and other Antarctic-related collectables.
Many expeditioners and crew donated an item for auction or a head to
shave to raise funds, but special mention needs to go to Seamus Liston
who made many of higher priced items, including clocks and jewellery,
during his spare time at Davis. The word 'providence' was often used to
describe many of the works of art Seamus crafted.
Bosun Joe McMenemy and Weather Girl (Lewi's Mum) also put in amazing
efforts to make a range of ropework and clothing items for auction
including replica mini P&O overalls for some lucky little ones back at
home!
Today has been spent busying ourselves with more mundane matters:
packing, cleaning cabins and sorting cold-weather clothing to be
returned to the Australian Antarctic Division. The last of the science
project sampling also wraps with all samples now ready for clearance by
Customs on our arrival.
The trip back from Davis alone has been one of around 3150 nautical
miles over 268 hours, and we hope you've enjoyed the journey as much as us.
Finaly a huge thank you to all the crew of the Aurora Australis for
their great efforts and also to the support team back in Tasmania and at
the Antarctic stations.
Cheers, Andy, Brett, Dave and James
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.