This week at Mawson: 10 May 2024

Whether we can weather the weather, or whether the weather weathers us? These are just one of the questions disseminated with ensembles, observed by eighths and pondered by a select few expeditioners trained in the art of weather. This week we get introduced to one half of our dynamic duo known as the BOM crew. Meteorology is increasing in global importance as a science. And behind every good science program is an equally important technician. Meet another Mawson family member Sophie.

Name, title and season?

Sophie Counsell, BOM Met Tech, 1^st season.

Where do you call home?

Currently near Adelaide, but I don't usually stay in one place for too long.

Why did you choose to work in Antarctica?

Penguins, duh.

What is your position on station?

I'm the Technician with the Bureau of Meteorology. My job is split between technical maintenance and repairs on our Meteorological equipment on station and sharing the weather observation roster with our ever smiling observer Jason.  

What was your favourite subject in school?

Probably maths. Yeah, I was that kid.

If you could pick a superpower to have, what would it be?

Maybe to fly, then I wouldn't have to stress about cloud heights for my weather observations, I could just fly up and know exactly how high they are.

First music concert you went to?

Yeah right, I can't even remember what I had for breakfast yesterday.

If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Potatoes.

Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew.

What projects are you intending to start down here on station?

Wood carving, music and photography are taking up most of my free time currently. I didn't want to commit to the pressure of a major project or course on my first season, I just want to enjoy the year.

What are some surprising things about your job in Antarctica?

How warm it can feel at -15C when there is no wind.

How loud the sea ice can be creaking and groaning some days.

How stunning the twilight colours are on the snow and ice.

How much heckling can happen in one trivia night.

How quickly 20 strangers can come together to form such a funny, supportive and frankly ridiculous community.

If you could add another question to this cutting edge piece of award winning prose, what would it be?

Perfection can't be improved upon.

Plumbers, chippies and sparkies. What makes them tick? What makes them wake up every morning to fight blizzards, lay pipe, nail timber and test fire alarms?

I dove deep to solve these mysteries.

The Carpenter (genus "Chippie")

Carpenters are rarely seen in the wild; their numbers have dwindled down to just three over the winter. Their defining traits are their inability to travel medium distances except by vehicle, and their ability to dump blocks of frozen wood in your workshop to melt over the weekend.

After months of research, a chippie was located within the rear red shed. Richard Heaton, train enthusiast and wintering tradesman was busy painting drywall and sanding back doors for refit.

When asked what makes a chippie tick, Richard proclaimed: “Well mate, I hate to brag, but we are pretty much the utility of Mawson station. The walls, the doors, the very world in which you reside was made by my kind. You can trace my lineage all the way back to Jesus Christ.”

“Is that right?” I replied, remembering how chippies love to chat, and how trying to end a conversation with one is a full-time job in itself.

I found my chance and swiftly made my exit, and came upon the next trade: the revered sparkie, installing a cable tray with the greatest of ease. His name was Aaron Munro.

The Electrician (genus "Sparkie")

Now, the sparkie is a different breed. His phone is constantly abuzz with building monitoring system alarms, also known as messages from the almighty. For the sparkies are the instruments of the almighty, and must vigorously fulfill the almighty's demands lest the station loses power and heat. Their most notable behaviours are stalking the halls at all hours of the night waiting for the almighty to give them direction, and their dependency on a drink derived from a plant found in the Americas.

“Aaron, my good man, who is this person that has this hold over you? Making you walk the halls all night without rest?” I asked, cautious of the power he wields at his 240V fingertips, knowing he had not yet partaken of the drink that morning.

“It is no person, but a computer that dictates our lives. I must obey, for if I don’t, the power which keeps us all alive would surely fail, and our descent into darkness would be all too certain,” he responded with a twitch and a tremor.

I remained speechless a while. I had assumed the sparkies were only being straight up bludgers hanging around the source of the drink (a.k.a. the coffee machine), but I found out through my discussion with Mr Munro that it was the only machine on station that did not call for constant maintenance. To them, it was an emotional safe space from their computer overlord. I was filled with newfound respect for the sparkies.

The Plumber (genus "self-describes-as-handsome")

There are three plumbers on station, each possessing their own variant of power. Johnny Diggs is fire bender and Lord of the Incinerator. Ben Callahan is muck bender, Lord of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and John Summers (Muggaz) is water bender, King of Mawsons's plumbing, whose gentle hand guides the lesser lords within his realm.

“Muggaz, Your Majesty”, I said, “tell me how you do it. How do you carry the burden of this station's water supply upon your shoulders? Surely the stress would break a lesser man.”

“Yeaaaah mate,” he sang in sweet melody.

“ 'Yeah mate,' what does that mean?” I asked.

“Yeah mate”, he responded as I stared at him, absolutely perplexed.

Just as I began to question my own sanity, Ben Callahan walked in, with a pronounced “Yeah mate” of his own. Muggaz replied in kind at a slightly more frivolous pitch.

Then I realised. The plumbers have created a language that only requires two words. Two words which, depending on the tone, can convey a myriad of meanings. Is this a sign of evolution? Could this be the advancement of mankind?

I have to take this knowledge back home to Australia, but I’m afraid of what people could do with this information. For now, I will continue my endeavours to answer the great questions of Mawson station.

Your wise and humble research mechanic, signing off -

-Braiden Richards