Casey's population has grown this week as the end of the summer season nears. Scientists and support staff from the Denman Terrestrial Campaign at Bunger Hills have joined the Million Year Ice Core team at Concordia in moving back onto station as their programs wind down for the winter. The Traverse has departed from Dome C and is making good progress back to Casey.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the runway temperatures at Wilkins Aerodrome. In order for safe aviation operations, the blue-ice surface must be below -5°C for seven days. This gives the aircraft enough friction to use their wheel brakes.
Weather observations are provided year-round by an on-station crew of Bureau observers. This team record the conditions at regular intervals throughout the day, release twice-daily weather balloons and maintain the instruments used to measure the environment. The team comprises two wintering observers and a technical officer, with an additional observer for the summer season. They are Brian, Imogen, Karlina, and Liam.
During the summer season, the increase in aviation operations requires three aviation forecasters to be based at Casey. This team provide briefings, aviation forecasts, and public weather products to the three Australian stations, RSV Nuyina, contracted aviation operators, visiting foreign assets and intercontinental flights by the AAD and Royal Australian Air Force. The team comprises two Bureau forecasters, Nyssa and Harry, and a Royal Australian Navy meteorology and oceanography Officer, Gordon. Gordon is deployed in support of the Australian Antarctic Program as part of Operation Southern Discovery, the ADF's contribution to peacetime scientific endeavour in Antarctica.
Two of the team members have provided short introductions below, as well as some of their favourite photos so far. As the summer season draws to a close and summering expeditioners prepare to return home, we reflect on how we've grown personally and professionally. Many happy memories have been made, in good weather and in bad, as part of ANARE 78.
By Gordon Hutcheon
Hi I'm Liam, I'm from the northern beaches of Sydney and am currently doing a summer at Casey as a Bureau observer.
My best memories so far at station have been cross country skiing, camping with friends at some distant huts in the snow and taking a cold plunge in the ocean on Australia Day. Releasing weather balloons in blizzards as part of our job has been the cherry on top.
I've found living in a small community fantastic. Apart from the cosy feel of the station and the endless supply of good food, there's always people keen to get out and see some of the landscape which make trips away that much better. Before coming south I worked in Dubbo as a hydrographer for 18 months and then did a six-month stint on Willis Island in the Coral Sea with the Bureau.
Everyone's day to day is different. For Bureau staff we work on a shift roster, meaning we work some weekends but also get a couple weekdays off. I like to get away from station by walking down to the wharf to see some penguins or going for a ski. I've really enjoyed my time here and will make the most of the last few weeks.
It's easy to forget where you are with all the comforts the station has to offer. Some of the best reminders I've had has been walking past penguins on my way to work and the ever-changing icebergs drifting through the bay.
Howdy from Harry, I'm one of the Bureau forecasters for the summer season. Normally I reside in the warmer climes of Brisbane, forecasting tropical cyclones, thunderstorms and everything as far away from Antarctic weather as you can imagine. Like most, the prospect of living and working in Antarctica was a distant but exciting pipe dream, so far from reality it didn't seem achievable. But throwing my hat in the ring was one of the best things I've ever done and the last few months has been busy, but immensely rewarding.
The recreation trips we participate in are the natural highlight of spending time here, seeing the bergy bits up close while penguins jump alongside or exploring field huts like many before us. But there is just as much joy to be found in the day-to-day, walking to an early shift start and realising the sun has set for the first time in a few months, hearing the noot of a penguin proudly marching through camp, and even touring the waste water treatment plant with our plumbers to see the magic that has to happen to facilitate the most basic of activities down here. Casey station is like a pack of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, we have pilots from Canada, New Zealand, scientists from Italy and France, visitors from China, and Aussies from all over.
I feel privileged to be able to experience such an extreme place (top gust so far this season 159km/hr at station), proud that I helped facilitate safe operations to support ground breaking science, and chuffed to be part of the Casey community. There's a few more adventures to come yet – ice climbing, hut trips, many more penguins to see – and I'm dreading the view as we depart for the last flight, leaving our smiling winterers behind, but looking forward to the next adventure, and hearing their stories in nine months time. Next, back to QLD to thaw out!
