This week we remember the sacrifice made by servicemen and women on a wet and windy Anzac Day.

Wet and windy Anzac Day

Here on Macca we woke to the rain on the roof and the sound of wind in the tussock around 0600 making our way to the flagpoles on the isthmus just before sunrise at 0632.

With our sound system safely undercover in the nearby satellite dome, the flags were raised to the mast head then lowered to half-mast signalling the start of our Anzac Day dawn service in commemoration of all those New Zealand and Australian service men and women that have suffered and died as a result of war.

Two raincoat wearing epeditioners raise the NZ and Australian flags at dawn (0632) on the isthmus Macquarie Island
Peter Lecompte readng ‘In Flanders Fields', part of the service held on Macquaire Island on the 25 April
Raincoat clad expeditioners with flags at halfmast in the background at this weeks Anzac Day service on Macquarie Island
Two expeditioners raise the flags from halfmast to mast head during the Anzac Day service held at Macquarie Island this week
The expeditioners of the 71st ANARE congregate for the ANZAC day service in front of the flagpoles on the isthmus at Macquarie Island

Want to live and work in Antarctica? Sign up for our expressions of interest mailing list to be the first to know when jobs in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic open.

Two-Up and tucker

The dawn service was followed with a welcome hot drink and Anzac biscuit along with a tot of spiced rum to warm us back up, then a hearty cooked gunfire brunch.

Then it was two-up in the mess where we took turns as spinner. To do this we purchased specially made ‘Macca’ money and in the process raised $140 which we donated to the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL).

The afternoon was spent watching New Zealand/Australian war movies and helping to prepare a sumptuous spit roast feast for our evening meal. This was rounded off nicely with two delectable pavlovas piled high with cream, passionfruit and berries courtesyof Annette our chef.

Norbert Trupp throws two coins into the air from the Kip during a game of two-up on ANZAC Day, Macquaire Island
Annette Fear takes her turn as Spinner in a game of Two-up played on ANZAC Day at Macquarie Island
A plate of ANZAC biscuits with a bottle of spiced rum — part of our Gunfire Smoko on ANZAC Day at Macquaire Island this week
Tim Kerr seasoning the spit roast while Annette Fear our chef looks on
The manu board at Macquarie Island with our ANZAC Day menu decorated by Danielle McCarthy
Chris Burns carving up the spit roast on ANZAC Day at Macquarie Island

Want to live and work in Antarctica? Sign up for our expressions of interest mailing list to be the first to know when jobs in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic open.

on