Casey Station, Antarctica: The small community at Casey Station is mourning the loss of a beloved companion, the Emotional Support Goose. Found frozen outside in a broken-down Polaris side-by-side and brought inside by the Station’s Mechanical Team, the goose quickly became an iconic symbol of comfort and camaraderie for the station’s residents.
The plush goose, which features five squeakers, was initially a simple toy, but its significance grew far beyond its modest origins. Expeditioners and visitors alike sought solace in the goose during times of homesickness, isolation, or difficult workdays. Even guests from Concordia Station, who experienced delayed flights, were seen cuddled up to the bird, finding comfort in its familiar presence.
The goose’s role as a source of emotional support wasn’t limited to the station’s living quarters (Red Shed). The plush toy also ventured out into the field, providing unexpected morale during a daring midnight rescue of a bogged Hagg near the historic Wilkes Station. The gesture solidified the goose’s place as not just a source of emotional comfort but as a quirky member of the station’s elite problem-solving team.
In its time at Casey Station, the goose was instrumental in maintaining emotional well-being within the station community. The joy it brought - whether through its squeakers or its presence - helped combat the long summer days, and offered a touch of warmth in an environment where such small comforts are often hard to come by.
But now, the community faces a heavy loss. After finally being washed - likely for the first time in its life - the Emotional Support Goose was last seen a week ago. Despite numerous searches of the station, the plush toy has yet to be found. Its disappearance has left a palpable void, one that will be keenly felt by the wintering team as they face the long months of isolation without the comfort it once offered.
The Emotional Support Goose may be missing, but its impact on Casey Station will not soon be forgotten. As the community navigates the challenging months ahead, they will undoubtedly carry with them the memory of the squeaky, warm presence that once brought so much light into their lives.
Wherever the goose is, it will always be remembered as a beacon of comfort and solidarity in the harshest of conditions.
- Lachlan Smith
