Welcome to the Summer Season
This week we welcomed over 20 new expeditioners to station, bringing our grand total to 66 humans— a lively community suddenly buzzing with activity, anticipation, and the unmistakable energy of a sun that now refuses to set. Summer has officially arrived.
To mark the occasion, the station held an incredible welcome dinner on Saturday. The chefs conjured an outrageous feast of suckling pig, lamb chops, vegetarian vol-au-vents, roast veg, seafood, spätzle… and that was before dessert. Then came pavlova, cake, truffles, macarons and cocktails. The social team transformed the place into a festive wonderland and as the night went on, they drew the blinds and disco ball took over, washing the room in shimmering light.
Across station this week, there is an endless list of activities. The main powerhouse shut down is in full swing, with the diesos and sparkies pulling apart the machinery and doing a full engine swap out. Several large building projects are also set to commence this season, adding to the sense of momentum.
Overhead, the skies are just as lively, with aviation returning to Davis after a four-year hiatus. Most summer expeditioners flying in via Casey Station this year and a steady flow of stock has been moving between Davis and Mawson Station, keeping the aviation, comms, station supplies and weather forecasting teams fully occupied.
For the field training officers, it has been a demanding cycle of training trips. As new expeditioners arrive, we are taken out for overnight field survival training—sleeping in bivvy sacks on thin mats and learning to manage the elements with minimal gear. The FTOs oversee the process with practiced confidence, guiding us through the challenges (although I suspect a small part of them relish in watching us suffer and stumble at least a little).
As we launch into the summer season, the station feels vibrant and full of purpose. With new faces, new projects and new adventures ahead, it promises to be a busy, rewarding and unforgettable few months on the ice.
This week we welcomed over twenty new expeditioners to station, bringing our grand total to 66 humans— a lively community suddenly buzzing with activity, anticipation, and the unmistakable energy of a sun that now refuses to set.. Summer has officially arrived.
To mark the occasion, the station held an incredible welcome dinner on Saturday. The chefs conjured an outrageous feast of suckling pig, lamb chops, vegetarian vol-au-vents, roast veg, seafood, spätzle… and that was before dessert. Then came pavlova, cake, truffles, macarons and cocktails. The social team transformed the place into a festive wonderland and as the night went on, they drew the blinds and disco ball took over, washing the room in shimmering light.
Across station this week, there is an endless list of activities. The main powerhouse shut down is in full swing, with the diesos and sparkies pulling apart the machinery and doing a full engine swap out. Several large building projects are also set to commence this season, adding to the sense of momentum.
Overhead, the skies are just as lively, with aviation returning to Davis after a four-year hiatus. Most summer expeditioners flying in via Casey Station this year and a steady flow of stock has been moving between Davis and Mawson Station, keeping the aviation, comms, station supplies and weather forecasting teams fully occupied.
For the field training officers, it has been a demanding cycle of training trips. As new expeditioners arrive, we are taken out for overnight field survival training—sleeping in bivvy sacks on thin mats and learning to manage the elements with minimal gear. The FTOs oversee the process with practiced confidence, guiding us through the challenges (although I suspect a small part of them relish in watching us suffer and stumble at least a little).
As we launch into the summer season, the station feels vibrant and full of purpose. With new faces, new projects and new adventures ahead, it promises to be a busy, rewarding and unforgettable few months on the ice.
Winnie Yum - Station Doctor
