If someone told me eight years ago that my carpentry apprenticeship I signed up for would one day land me living and working for a year on a world heritage listed island in the sub-Antarctic, I wouldn’t have believed it. Even now I’m here I still pinch myself every day. All I knew about the work in Antarctic was that my uncle had spent a summer at Davis station back in 2007 and he has always had some great stories to share about the small time he spent there and about how much he enjoyed it.
I first saw a job advertised for a carpenter’s position maybe some nine months after finishing my carpentry qualification and I jumped at the opportunity, submitting my application within the day.
Some three years down the track and after sitting as a reserve for a season I’m now here, settled into life on station almost 60 days since leaving my home shores of Tasmania.
Life on station is so much more than just the role that you apply for, and no two days are ever the same. All of us on station have some extra duties that we take on to aid in the smooth running of the small community here. For myself I’m a carpenter, but also apart of Fire team two, part of the Search And Rescue team, the station flag officer and self-appointed pizza chef for special Friday night occasions. These secondary roles have given me so much opportunity to learn and grow in so many aspects that extend beyond my carpentry career.
I’ve been lucky enough to have already completed two field trips off station to go see both Bauer Bay Hut and the Brothers Point Hut. As spectacular as the scenery is here on station it doesn’t come close to that of the views from the mountain tops, lakes and small creeks scattered all over the island, each as breathtaking as the next.
So far, my time here has been taken up with roles over the station resupply and changeover, fire training, SAR training, rostered days helping the chef in the kitchen and of course amongst all of that I have my main role as a carpenter most days. As every new day rises, as every petrel flying overhead, every penguin giving me curious stares and every puppy dog eyed elephant seal I walk past this place etches itself into my heart a little further. I can’t help but lay back in bed every night and smile reminding myself how truly lucky we all are to be here in one of the wildest places on earth and call it home for a year.
Being a carpenter here on Macquarie Island is a role that’s part craft, part problem-solving, and an even bigger part adventure. The landscape is wild and rugged, yet so beautiful in every aspect, somehow always looking just as good on the rainy days, as it does on the sunny ones. Every week brings its own challenges, but also its rewards—the satisfaction of a job well done, and the privilege of living and working as part of a small community and family in one of the most remarkable places on earth. Although I’ve only been here for a short time and have so much to experience yet for the rest of the season, the friendships and memories I have made already will hold their own special place in my heart forever.
Until next time, signing off from Macca,
Aiden Geeves – 78th ANARE Macca Carpenter
