Summer station leader Justine Thompson looks back on her time at Macquarie Island.

The 76th ANARE farewells Macca

I’ve had an amazing six months as the summer Station Leader on Macquarie Island. The island is truly remarkable. My whole workplace is like something out of Jurassic Park, or a David Attenborough documentary.  It’s remote and isolated, but as I walk down the isthmus or hike down island there is wildlife everywhere – seals, penguins, albatross, orcas. The weather conditions are extreme: sun, rain, hail, sleet, snow, gale force winds and you can experience these all in one day. 

Add that together with a group of truly exceptional expeditioners and it has culminated in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  It has been a privilege to be a part of the 76th ANARE. 

What an experience planning and then executing the resupply of the island.  We went from from 24 on station to 60, so it got busy and loud.  We welcomed the incoming team, the 77th ANARE, and completed our handovers with them.  All the while the LARCs and the helicopers came and went unloading cargo. Parks and Wildlife coordinated biosecurity. Somehow we found two days to complete refueling, facilitated the round-trip project people, and lastly ensured all our RTA made it off the island and onto RSV Nuyina. The weather played with our plans, but together with our brilliant Voyage Leadership team, we took the windows open to us, and got it done.    

I'm extremely proud of the work the 76th ANARE completed over the season, and we are definitely leaving the island in a better position. My last day on island was truely memorable. Mist rolled over the plateau, there was very little wind, but there was swell. Leaving the Island via LARC was definitely a wow moment. Nuyina is huge, comfortable and there is a buzz of excitement as we’re ready to head home. Then a humpback whale swam by -  not a bad finale I think. 

There’s only one mission that I’ve not been able to successfully complete, and that was to see the new ‘Stay’ on station.  Our Voyage Leader knows all, but has not disclosed anything!  I am looking forward to hearing from the 77th ANARE about where she ended up on station!

Farewell Macca. Until next time!

Justine Thompson

Station Leader (Summer) 2023-2024

Macquarie Island

76th ANARE

Mist-covered peaks on the hillside of an island, sea in the foreground
A metal gate and grey flat sand in the foreground, mountain peaks covered in mist behind that.
A board with rows of red tags, showing who is on and off station.
surf in the foreground, a red ship in the background
A woman in a red parka standing on a ship's deck with a woman in a black puffer.
A woman in red parka smiling, with a smiling woman in a beanie.
Flares are set off by people standing on a ship's helicopter deck.
Sunset under cloud with sea in the foreground.
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