This week on Macca started off as a quieter week with our expeditioners out on field familiarisation trips and TASPAWS ranger Andrea in the field undertaking bird surveys. For the first time our on-station population was reduced to just eight.
Earlier in the week we tested our various emergency alarms for the first time. In addition to the fire alarms, we tested the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) alarm systems as well. A part of BOM’s job involves releasing weather balloons filled with hydrogen. As hydrogen is a highly volatile gas, expeditioners require immediate notification of any leakage in the system. The hydrogen alarms were activated so that all expeditioners could become familiar with this warning.
On Thursday field familiarisation party number two left station bound for Bauer Bay hut in testing conditions. Justin prepared a delicious Mexican feast to round out our week on Friday. Dan, rocking the slushy radio, took charge of the entertainment broadcasting pan flutes over the airwaves for over three hours. Those on station are of the understanding that the field party now at Brothers Point hut thoroughly enjoyed listening in.
With all back on station for the weekend, rumours started to circulate of an imminent (pirate) mutiny. Plans were under way to stage a belated pirate party for our plumber Ben, who celebrated his birthday during the busy resupply. Pirate costumes complete with eye patches, and brightly feathered parrots were assembled then stowed away. The evening kicked off under the guise of a welcome to station shindig. Duncan assisted with a diversion sending Ben on a wild goose chase around station, whilst we rapidly converted the mess into a pirate lair, and donned our costumes. Ben returned some 15 minutes later to be greeted with a spectacular cake complete with a jet ski riding penguin and a huge chorus of AARRGGHHHHH!
Jacque Comery, Station Leader