This week at Macquarie Island: 11 December 2020

December is the start of Christmas excitement for a lot of households around Australia and here at Macca we are no different. The Christmas tree has gone up and a few other decorations are starting to pop up around the station.

In the kitchen our chef Arvid has been working hard locking down his Christmas menu. The eagle-eyed expeditioners have also spotted him working on some gingerbread centrepieces.

Some of our more crafty expeditioners spent a bit of Sunday working away on a Macca themed nativity set. I think we are all pretty excited to see how it turns out!

Speaking of crafty expeditioners, it’s almost impossible at the moment to find some spare workshop space on a weekend as everyone is in full gift making mode. If midwinters is anything to go by, the gifts are going to be great.

Name: Malcolm Vernon.

Nicknames: Doc Mal.

Where are you From: Perth W.A.

Previous seasons? Numerous since 2012.

Job title: Expeditionary Medical Officer.

Describe your role in two sentences: Care & support in a remote location.

What did you do before your joined the AAD? Generalist G.P. in suburban Perth.

What is your favourite part of your job here at Macca? It’s a generalist paradise with a broad skill set required.

If you were not a Doctor, what would be your dream job? A performer.

How does this season at Macca compare to your previous seasons down south? All good,comparisons are invalid & futile.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Sing and try to play the guitar.

What song sums up your Macca experience so far? Midnight Oil's “Best Of Both Worlds”.

What actor would play you in a film version of our 73^st ANARE season here at Macca? Matthew McConaughey.

What is your favourite spot here at Macca and why? The front porch of the mess – a great view of Hasselborough Bay & Anchorage Rock .

Favourite piece of Australian Antarctic Division kit? Mont raincoat

What is your favourite book / movie (or both) and why?

Movie – Pulp Fiction, I love the relationship between Vinnie (John Travolta ) & Jules (Samuel L Jackson)

Book – Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall, a wonderful insight into power play.

What is your typical 'Slushy FM' genre? Do you have a particular favourite? Indie workout by Spotify.

Describe your Macca experience with: a sight, a smell, a sound, a feeling and a taste.
Sight – weaners on the Beach

Smell – elephant seal wallow

Sound – weaners barking, king penguins calling.

Feeling – satisfied exhaustion post field trip.

Taste – Arvid’s fruit bread.

Do you have a favourite quote that you’d like to leave us with?

“Don’t wish to be a good man, be one.”