This week at Macquarie Island: 21 June 2024

On a small, sub-Antarctic island 1500 km south-east of Tasmania, there are seals, penguins, 24 humans and a mysterious surfboard.

The surfboard is rather banged up (some might call it character, some might call it being lost at sea for weeks). It also has some curious insignia. The underside reads ‘Bra Boys’ and below that is the gang's motto ‘My brothers keeper’. Why would there be a surfboard with the name and motto of an infamous Sydney gang hiding in our post office?

Did it wash up here? Was it brought here? Is Macquarie Island closer to Maroubra than we originally thought?

Some of the theories been thrown around by the 24 humans:

• The board was swept out to sea from Maroubra and currents brought it to Macca
• One of the Bra Boys became a scientist and tried to catch some Macca waves while working here
• The Bra Boys chartered a vessel to catch the elusive Macca green room and left a memento
• It's a prop from the Bra Boys documentary. Russell Crowe threw it out to sea.
• There are gang-affiliated penguins.
• ‘Brothers’ is missing an apostrophe. We will comb the records for a Macca expeditioner with a sibling called Skeeper
• It is a nod to a different group of Bra Boys. A Macquarie Island drag group perhaps?

Curiosity has even captivated the mainland. Sam (of Coburg) and Caz (of Burringbar) want answers.

Today was the day of the Midwinter swim* and we could all feel the board was pining for the ocean. We put her on the back of the polaris and headed for the black sand beaches of the isthmus. We paddled out past the kelp and took in the serenity, waiting for the next set to roll in. The waves were small but morale was sky high.

Like all good mysteries we may never get the answer. But in a small town with slow news days, it’s something to talk about.

Hana Glencross

Part time Weather Observer / Full time silly goose

*The Midwinter swim occurs annually on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. In the polar regions we celebrate the beauty of the depths of winter and welcome the return of light.

We just wanted to wish you all a Happy World Albatross Day from Macquarie Island and share with you a little snippet showcasing each of the four species of albatross that breed on Macquarie Island.

Our populations of wandering, black-browed and grey-headed albatross are very small, making up less than 1 per cent of the global populations. Although black-broweds once nested on North Head and wanderers once nested along the featherbed coastal flats, all three are now mostly restricted to the South West Special Management Area of Macquarie Island.

Light-mantled albatross, on the other hand, are much more prolific, nesting along the coastal slopes. In summer, pairs can be frequently seen performing spectacular synchronized mid-air courtship displays, with their iconic PEEE-AAAUUURRR call. (Something for us to all look forward too!).

Why World Albatross Day

June 19^th marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). This international agreement, signed by 13 nation parties, recognises the considerable and global nature of threats facing albatrosses and petrels, and the requirement for intergovernmental action to mitigate them.  Australia has played a fundamental role in ACAP’s establishment and continued function, hosting the initial preparatory meetings in 1999 and the first signing of the parties in nipaluna/Hobart in 2004. Headquarters of ACAP is between the Australian Federal Government and the ACAP Secretariat, which is also based in nipaluna/Hobart.  Signatories to ACAP agree to monitor listed populations and mitigate threatening processes.

Of the 22 ACAP-listed species, eight of them breed in Australian (specifically Tasmanian) territory and 18 forage within our maritime jurisdiction. Seven of Australia’s eight species are here on Macca!

This year’s celebration is extra special as it marks the 20^th anniversary of the document's enactment. The theme of #WAD2024 is “Safeguarding Our Oceans” – especially topical for us given the recent expansion of Macquarie Island Marine Park by 300 per cent.

So please, spare a thought today for these beautiful birds. And we look forward to sharing some photos of them through the year as we get out and about.

(Thanks to Mel, our wildlife Ranger, for all the information and photos!)

Bec Jeffcoat, Station Leader