Casey’s extended family

Thanks to our family and friends — we really can’t do it without you

There are 29 expeditioners at Casey who have all made the choice to spend a winter in Antarctica. We are lucky enough to experience this place as very few ever do: cold, dark and about as isolated as it’s possible to get on this planet.

But while we get to have this extraordinary adventure, we leave behind a life in Australia and the people that matter to us.  This is a chance for all of us here at Casey Station to say thank you to those amazing people that are caring for our families, our homes and supporting us from afar.  If we were able to say thank you for all the things you do for us, you might hear us say…

Thanks for looking after our pets

Thanks for sending us pictures of your wedding day we missed

Thanks for renovating the house so it’s looks great when we get back

Thanks for looking after our children and making sure Dad’s not forgotten about

Thanks for being there and being so supportive when we’ve lost someone close

Thanks for making it easy to keep a long distance relationship going

Thanks for mowing the lawn and checking on the house

Thanks for opening our mail

Thanks for looking after the car

Thanks for always answering the phone when we call

So this is dedicated to all of you, our family and friends. Thank you for everything you do!

Here’s a few pictures of home and some of the amazing people in our lives.

Scott King

Scott’s son Daniel ready for his first day at school standing against a wall all dressed up
Selfie of Anna and Andrew on Mt Wellington with the Derwent River in the background
Ethan, Samantha, Kathy with Leigh at the MCG wearing rain covers
Scott Mitchell’s wife Sirinee and daughters Pailyn and Tuptim seeing dad off in Hobart
Part of Chris’s Noosa clan at a table with the river in the background
Jason being seen off at the airport by his grandchildren sittin on a lounge together
Scott King’s Mum, Aunty and sister on a hike with trees in the background

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Getting to know a Casey expeditioner — Josh Dallas

Name: Joshua Dallas

Nicknames: Bam Bam

From: Newcastle NSW

Previous seasons? N/A

Job title: Aerodrome mechanic

Describe your role in two sentences:

Based at the Wilkins Aerodrome, I’m required to service/fix all the machinery and generators and whatever else breaks. Occasionally do a bit of operating and even cooking.

What did you do before your joined the AAD?

Field service mechanic/auto electrician in the Pilbara

What is your favourite part of your job here at Casey?

The fact that we have to make things work, whether that means modifying things, making parts, or making repairs that will hold long enough until new parts arrive. It certainly keeps you on your toes, and also calls on other skills that you wouldn’t use in a normal mechanical workshop like operating lathes, mills, pan brake folders, guillotines, and welding a wide range of materials. 

If you were not a mechanic what would be your dream job?

Either paramedic or full-time traveller

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 enjoy coming down to the workshop and learning new skills or building on ones I already have.

What song sums up your Casey experience so far?

Island of oceans, Lee Kernaghan

What actor would play you in a film version of our 72nd ANARE season here at Casey?

MacGyver

Favourite piece of Australian Antarctic Division kit?

Bib-and-brace Carhartts

What is your favourite book / movie (or both) and why?

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson

I believe it has good life values

What is your typical ‘Slushy FM’ genre? Do you have a particular favourite?

Country (even if it makes peoples’ ears bleed)

Describe your Casey experience with: a sight, a smell, a sound, a feeling and a taste.

Sight: The reds and pinks on the icebergs as the sun rises or sets

Smell: The Incinolet toilets (electric incinerating toilets) that we use at Wilkins

Sound: Hum of generators

Feeling: Warm shower after a long cold day outside

Taste: Wood-fired pizzas at Wilkes Hut

Do you have a favourite quote that you’d like to leave us with?

You only live once, make it count

Something people may not know about you:

I hate the cold

Looking after the Herman Nelsons — Keeping the C17 warm while it is beeing unloaded and loaded at Wilkins with Josh standing in front of the C17
The wilkins team with Dr Karl and Kim Ellis the new director standing in front of the Airbus on the ice runway
Snow blower clearing the runway at Wilkins at sunrise
A busy day of breakdowns at Wilkins — machinery on the snow waiting its turn

Want to live and work in Antarctica? Sign up for our expressions of interest mailing list to be the first to know when jobs in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic open.

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