I’m Lauren and this is my first season in Antarctica. As a first-time expeditioner, the last six months have been an overwhelming collection of firsts!

TONI&GUY Stylist Lauren Manser shares her experience at Davis

I’m Lauren and this is my first season in Antarctica. As a first-time expeditioner, the last six months have been an overwhelming collection of firsts. The first trip aboard RSV Nuyina, first sighting of emperor penguins, icebergs, and passing south of the 60th parallel line. As a keen hiker in the real world, my first-time trekking and bivvying in Antarctica has been a highlight. This was closely followed by the first experience of 24-hour sunlight. With no sunset at times in the summer, it was regular to get caught up playing cards in the living quarters until well past midnight.

Signing up with the AAD, I thought I would spend the year as the wintering Engineering Services Supervisor, managing trades and navigating routine maintenance on station. Though this is a core part of my duties, our small community of 25 relies on multi-skilled operators, and upskilling in another area was not only appreciated, it was a necessity. While some chose paths as gym trainers (Kayne), board game promoters (James), quizmasters (Griff), and seal whisperers (Claude), I’ve taken the opportunity to invest in my hairdressing career. Four thousand kilometres from the nearest Cuts and Colour, there was an opening. After a three-hour online hairdressing course with Tassie TAFE, I found myself dangerously underqualified and overconfident with a pair of clippers and thinning scissors. And what’s more concerning? I somehow convinced the rest of station that I’m relatively competent. I’ve improvised fades, faked my way through styling, and recently completed my first hair dye. I assure clients that follow-up appointments are free, at least for the next 8 months, but accept no responsibility for damages incurred – reputational or otherwise.

Experiencing the firsts of Antarctica has been amazing, but the real enjoyment has come from sharing these moments with the incredible group of expeditioners who have made Davis home. Together we keep the water running, the lights on, and the sourdough fresh. Without contributions from the whole station there would be no ‘firsts’ for us to experience.

Lauren Manser - Engineering Services Supervisor

A woman in yellow outdoor gear and snow goggles stands on a rocky slope with snow in the background
A woman in yellow outdoor gear and a beanie stands on ice with a red ship in the background
Two black and white penguins looking at the camera
Two people standing on ice in front of a big red icebreaker ship
A grey elephant seal lying on its back, eyes closed, scratching its chin
Two men in skeleton shirts, stand either side of a woman in a blue outfit and hat
Three people walking down a rocky hill before a sweeping plain of white
Five black and white penguins stand on a snowy slop with a bulldozer in the background
Station buildings with wavy green and orange lights in the sky
A woman in black takes a selfie while standing on the deck of a ship surrounded by ice and icebergs
A woman in yellow and black, with a black buff around the face, stands on a ship with blue sea all around
Four black and white penguins stand on a pile of rocks
Looking down on a massive cracked ice shelf
Sunset in the background and large blocks of ice on the ground in the foreground
A black and white penguin sitting on the rocky ground
A smiling woman in yellow sitting in a helicopter cockpit with headset, beanie and sunglasses on
Aerial view of cracked and slushy ice
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