G’day my name is Mitch Beekman and I’m a winter expo carpenter at Mawson station.
I’ve been very happy with the variety of jobs us carpenters have come up with in our Maximo worklist, each day has a new challenge or skill that we have to employ including cabinet making, plastering, painting, hut repairs, retrofitting door seals and installing prefabricated structures. Perhaps the best part of our job down here is the opportunities to get off station and complete the training for our search and rescue team, as well as our recreational trips out to explore the mountain ranges around Mawson.
The Mawson expeditioners are a group of confident and independent individuals who are driven, skilled and compassionate. When this group comes together and leans on each individual’s unique skills and personal experiences, as a team we proceed to adapt and overcome whatever challenges this environment can throw at us.
I believe a successful season here is reliant on a can-do attitude, sense of community and selflessness, humour and poking fun, being willing to learn new ways of doing things and trusting others to perform.
Here are some snapshots and supporting words of life in the Antarctic.
Legally blonde
It may look as though some of our team members have gone through what you might call a mid-winter crisis, but their new hair colour is in fact the result of an allegedly “rigged” darts competition at Club Katabatic. The stakes were high, but a gentleman’s bet is a gentleman’s word. After succumbing to their defeat, true to their words (& colour), Jake and James stuck it to the man and dyed their hair peroxide blonde. Looking like a reincarnation of Eminem’s hit single (‘The Real Slim Shady’), they took to the halls of the red shed to flaunt their new look and new attitude.
I may have made my own poor betting choices as you'll see by my hairstyle in the photos.
Stretch gassing out the Hagglund
The other week, whilst we were making our way back to station after being out to visit Fang Hut to undertake some repairs - sitting in the passenger seat of our Hagglunds overland vehicle, I was surprised to hear our gas detector chiming in from somewhere in the back seat. It stopped almost as soon as it had begun and I thought nothing of it, until moments later I noticed what looked like the paint starting to bubble and peel off the dashboard and then it hit me - an ungodly smell. I turned around to investigate and found our resident plumber (stretch), with an evil grin so wide that it nearly touched his ears.
The hagg came to a rumbling halt as I managed to reach for the top escape hatch and allow the cabin to vent, my eyes watering as though I’d just finished chopping 1000 onions.
Lockie (Scicluna)Sinatra and ‘Panic at the Biscoe’
Lachie ‘Scics’ found his calling as lead vocalist while we celebrated the 4th of May with a Star Wars-themed costume party, looking and performing like a young Tom Jones. The stage lights exaggerated his stage presence as well as his forehead in a captivating karaoke rendition of “She’s A Lady.” Our valiant station electrician kept us entertained for the night, along with special appearances from Neil Diamond and Bon-Jedi-Jovi.
Danny "Good at everything" Novkov, had the deerskin drums earning their keep as he showed off yet another hidden talent.
James - Jenga Jesus at the Same Biscoe Disco
Bela, HVAC guru, cooking in the kitchen “ Turning up the heat” - pardon the pun
Dr Lin in the kitchen with safety googles, cutting onions on slushy duty- making it very clear how she feels about safety. A true DIY icon
By Mitch Beekman, Mawson Carpenter
