Back to Back!
G'day! It's NC—back again after finishing up at Macquarie Island (Macca) in June last year. With just 3-4 months of turnaround, I’ve found myself on another winter adventure, this time at Mawson.
Despite coming from Macca, the prep for this role started well before stepping foot on station—getting people’s cargo packed, sorted, and shipped from Head Office and CBC. Helping the newbies settle in has been part of the job too, though I still feel like Macca life is ingrained in me.
Day-to-Day at Mawson
The rhythm here isn’t too different from Macca, except there’s no traffic jams to the mess! My mornings start with a coffee and a check-in with the chef for the day’s Woolies wish list. Then it’s off for deliveries across station as needed.
Most of my time is spent in the Greenstore—our busy logistics hub. Things are always moving, and there’s no such thing as single handling. If you haven’t repacked the same container three times in a week, are you even trying?
Driving on Ice
Learning to drive out here has its moments—some of them slightly terrifying. But we’re trained to go slow and steady, and in the end, it all works out. Our main workhorses are the Loader, Ute, and the JCB Telehandler. For rec trips, the trusty HAGGS are the way to go.
Looking Ahead
Mawson’s landscapes are something else. I'm hoping to capture some decent shots over the season—especially once the sea ice opens and we can visit the Auster Colony to see the emperor penguins.
More adventures to come
Nanching Lee
Station Supply Officer Mawson
