"Are you really going?", "You lucky bloke” , "Make sure you enjoy yourself down there and bring back plenty of photos and stories" were common remarks given to me once I’d been accepted into the AAD program. Twelve months on, as we come to the conclusion of the 77th ANARE deployment, I can honestly say that I am lucky, I have enjoyed myself and I have plenty of photos and stories to tell. What a journey!
From the excitement of seeing the ice from the plane for the first time, to finally stepping on ice and then into Casey Station, the 15th November, 2023 will forever be etched into my mind. So will the relief on entering the workshop on the 4th December, having negotiated my first blizz day to go to work. It was that much of a relief I photographed it for posterity! The stories go on. But the real story is what did I achieve in my time down here.
On a work front, we were all kept busy with the works program and there was always plenty to do. From major garage door repairs to minor adjustments to cupboards, the list was vast and varied. From building from scratch, to maintenance, to assisting other trades achieve their goals, rarely a dull moment to be had.
On a personal level I was able to invest my spare time in my own projects that I had planned prior to leaving. I brought a substantial amount of timber with me, enough to make my room look like a lumber yard. I was able to create various clocks, tea trays, games, boxes, salt and pepper grinders, picture frames and lots of items on the lathe. My spare time was also called upon for my trade skills by many others in their gift-making for the Midwinter Dinner and for their other personal projects during the year. The social interaction while working together was great and will always be a favoured memory.
What will I take away from here? Where to begin?
The social experiment of throwing 31 strangers together has been intriguing. The way we all settled and worked to achieve the goals required from us was amazing. A great bunch of people to live and work with. I’m sure most of us will remain in contact well after we part company from Kingston.
Never leave home without a plan B. Plan B could be as simple as taking your best winter coat with you on a still day. I went to work one very calm morning only to be confronted with 50 knot plus winds and 50 metre visibility in the afternoon and I had to walk home in that!
Don’t take things for granted. It’s been a marvellous and rare opportunity to come here. To look over the ice hills & see the variety of colours in the ice at various times of day, the sea ice ebb and flow, the wildlife in their natural habitat, the serenity and the intensity of the weather - all amazing experiences
The ’A’ factor !!!! No matter how simple the task, add the Antarctic factor of cold, wind, environment and isolation into your planning.
What am I looking forward to when back home?
The very first thing for me will be to throw my shoes and socks off and walk on the lawn again. To catch up with family and old mates and have a beer from the tap, to take my dog Milo for a walk, a long walk. The vet says he has gained 5.4 kgs since I left and my wife has spoiled him.To sit under my massive eucalyptus tree and take in the view again.To do some gardening again and when up near the road, chat to my passing neighbours as they have their daily walks. Not much of a list, but it is the little things that matter to me.
So now the journey ends, I ask myself the question ‘Did I achieve what I set out to do from the beginning’?
On the work front I believe so. I have appreciated the environment, people I work with, had a meaningful amount of work to do to feel productive and enjoyed working with the people in our little winter community. On a personal level, I have had a look around the station and its surrounds. I have made some personal effects to take home and I have made the station wall plaque to leave behind (with a great deal of assistance from Nick with his brass work).
‘Would I do it again’? Absolutely, in a heartbeat.
Terry Blyth - Casey Carpenter
