Saying farewell to extraordinary expeditions at the end of summer ... but also, wow, it's feeling a lot like winter!
At the end of the Casey summer we’re all a little tired, and then there is a run of saying farewell to amazing people. So, it’s an emotional rollercoaster and there are tears….As a summer team we have achieved a lot and made friends for life.
Resupply came about within the first few weeks of us arriving on station, so talk about a whirlwind start. We’ve supported more than 23 projects while also carrying out what equates to our ‘business as usual’. Our BAU however is quite unique. It encompasses scientists doing some amazing work, aviation operations, infrastructure projects, doctoring, and weather forecasting and observations. It includes our mechanics keeping the vehicles and equipment running, engineers to oversee all our trades work, sparkies keeping the power on (phew and thankyou), plumbers doing plumbing things – but particularly keeping the spa going, and between the chippies and boiler makers they make and fix just about anything.
FTOs keeping us safe in the field while also offering some amazing recreational opportunities. The AGSOs looked after KBA, Wilkins kept the international terminal running, and the comms operators, technicians and IT specialists kept us connected while on station, in the field and importantly to home as well.
Our amazing station supply officers somehow magically keep track of all our cargo, and our plant operators drive the heavy machinery with the precision of a surgeon! Big shout out to the chef - food, ‘the first line of defence’, and how we have all embraced this mantra. In short, there is nothing ordinary about our business as usual!
Special mention to our Ops Co. Marty who tracked our domestic flights with laser like precision. None of them left on time, he called 36 no-gos, but we did get all our summer jobs done!!
And to our Deputy Station Leader Saurabh - thankyou. An amazing support and now friend for life.
So, for the 33 Casey expeditioners who are staying on for winter, thank you everyone for an awesome summer!!
7 March 2026 is the first day of winter for us. It’s −10°C and pancake ice is starting to form. Bring on winter!
