The winter months have arrived and in the midst of wind-swept days across the vast great plains of Antarctica, our hero transitions from the light into the dark. A classic tale of good vs evil, the presence that stalks the frozen tundra is felt by some as a myth, but by others as an entity. Unexplained, yet unrivalled in their capacity to run hot and get it done.
There is a ticking heart at the centre of Australia’s Antarctic research stations, a ticking heart that fits like a glove into a well oiled team of unique individuals who pull together to make ANARE’s a success. It’s the heart that is found traversing across station in a blizzard, against the might of 90 knot winds. That enters buildings at the drop of a hat, to clear snow or to clear faults, or to clear out their goggles. What kind of madness drives a person to endure such treacherous conditions you might ask?
We find the answer in the word community. For the people of Casey are a tight knit bunch. A tranche of intellectual, emotional beings that make up the expeditioners of Australia’s 78th Antarctic research expedition. Expertly chosen for their skillsets, they excel at representing Australia and each other in the largest desert on earth.
There is however one among them who stands out. The one that stands up when the decanter sprays excrement on the floor of the treatment plant. The one that will not grimace and shy away when the sewer tank is over flowing and needs cleaning. For these tasks take a special kind of expeditioner. A special kind of expeditioner that is made of resilience, coffee, heat or just simply, far too much energy.
As Casey station goes about its day to day, the cogs are always turning. In plain view, or in the shadows of the plantrooms, the tank house, the incinerator. Other expeditioners might ask how our precious water supply just appears? They might marvel at the trash just magically disappearing. They might ponder the kitchen sink and ask what land this liquid retreats to?
At the end of the day, it’s not their problem to worry about. For the residents of Casey are blessed with a guardian angel. One that does their job quietly and confidently in the background. Seeking no praise or recognition (except for this article). Adhering to the values and qualities that being an expeditioner requires. They are the unsung hero of Casey and for that matter, Antarctica in general. Doing the jobs that are needed but often overlooked, or perhaps even shunned by others. Too dirty for some is bread and butter for our champion.
As Batman once said, “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”. Our protagonist channels this energy every time they wear the sacred cowboy hat. For they are neither man, nor myth, they are the on call plumber.
Pat Kinsella
Plumber
Casey station (Winter) 2025
