Getting to know a Casey expeditioner — Aaron Coleman
Name: Aaron
Nicknames: Az
From: Bangalow, NSW
Previous seasons? This is my first season
Job title: Carpenter
Describe your role in two sentences: As a carpenter I work on renovations, maintenance and new projects on station. I’m also a part of the lay surgical assistant team.
What did you do before your joined the AAD? I was contracting in the Snowy Mountains.
What is your favourite part of your job here at Casey? Being able to look around at anytime during my day and realise how lucky I am.
If you were not a carpenter what would be your dream job? To have my own farm.
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? I like to play guitar, cross country ski, ride fat bikes and work on building my hollow wooden surfboard.
What song sums up your Casey experience so far? Seal — Kiss From A Rose.
What actor would play you in a film version of our 72nd ANARE season here at Casey? Glenn Robbins
Favourite piece of Australian Antarctic Division kit? My ‘frillneck', legionnaires hat. Such unbeatable sun protection.
What is your favourite book / movie (or both) and why? Snatch, It has some good quotes and humor.
What is your typical ‘Slushy FM’ genre? Do you have a particular favourite? Independent rock, folk and all the oldies.
Describe your Casey experience with: a sight, a smell, a sound, a feeling and a taste.
The aurora in the night sky, the smell of orange power spray, the deafening silence away from station, the feeling of your facial hair freezing instantly, the taste of a fresh pizza cooked at the Wilkes Hilton.
Do you have a favourite quote that you’d like to leave us with? “Want the process, not the result.”
Something people may not know about you: I used to be a keen billycart racer.
Getting to know another Casey expeditioner — David Hamilton
Name: David Hamilton
Nicknames: Fridgy, Disco, Habanero
From: Adelaide
Previous seasons? First-timer
Job title : Refrig/heating balancing tech
Describe your role in two sentences:
Taking on board complaints about the temperatures around the place…we are in Antarctica folks! Lol
Baker extraordinaire
What did you do before your joined the AAD?
Commissioning/ service/repair- HVAC* and door systems on trains
All manner of refrigeration/HVAC stuff…worked for myself
*HVAC = Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning
What is your favourite part of your job here at Casey?
The splendour and ever changing vista every time you step out of the cold porch to go to work…and not having to drive to work
If you were not a <job> what would be your dream job?
Golf professional. No good at golf and tippin’, I wouldn’t be that professional.
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?
Read, study, partake in an occasional beverage, watch a film or doco, get beaten at darts
What song sums up your Casey experience so far?
Enlightening. Not just the breath-taking beauty of the place but the interesting folk from all over Australia each with their own tale to tell.
What actor would play you in a film version of our 72nd ANARE season here at Casey?
Mr Magoo…hopeless without my glasses on.
Favourite piece of Australian Antarctic Division kit?
Long Johns
Big woolly socks
What is your favourite book / movie (or both) and why?
Book: A few but have to say To Kill a Mockingbird - it highlights the injustice and ignorance of institutionalised biases and how a few good people can make a difference. In other words, to fight the good fight.
Movie: Well a toss-up between the Godfather just for the brilliance of the acting and Citizen Kane brilliantly written and directed by Orson Welles.
What is your typical ‘Slushy FM’ genre? Do you have a particular favourite?
Soul Music
Delta Blues
British Rock…Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Beatles, Stones, Bowie etc
Describe your Casey experience with: a sight, a smell, a sound, a feeling and a taste.
Elephant seals near Browning Peninsula and icebergs from the inflatable boats.
Not too many smells around ..the smell of freshly baked cookies or bread from the mess.
Connie singing the red cup song.
Cold…see elephant seals near Brownings.
Jordan’s Indian food and absentmindedly removing your gloves with your teeth when your hands are full — yuk! (only done once but once too many),
Do you have a favourite quote that you’d like to leave us with?
Great things never come from comfort zones…and from my dear departed Dad…Grasp opportunities when presented to you…regret is a heavy burden as you get older.
Something people may not know about you:
I’m only 26
