Living the dream at Mawson
The opportunity and privilege to winter in Antarctica is a dream come true - a dream which first started from the very first time that I read about it in a newspaper. Yep, that’s a while back now.
To think that tradies could get jobs to live and work on Antarctica. From reading the article and then typing in the website link from the article. I got to read the stories about different people who had lived and worked in this frozen environment, from the science being conducted on the continent, to the animals that have adapted to call Antarctica home. I got hooked on the idea that one day I too could do my part to contribute to the Australian Antarctic Program.
After applying a few times and becoming a reserve, I knew I had potential but needed to better my skills and qualifications. Getting the phone call to say that I was successful was such a happy and exciting moment! My dream was just starting and I now have a unique opportunity to say that I have been to two continents but only one country.
We have been here for four months now and so many events have happened in this time. From getting to meet our fellow (outgoing) expeditioners of the 78th as we were handed the station by them, to doing field and survival training, I can now say that I’ve slept outdoors on a mountain in Antarctica.
Having blizzards with wind gusts up to 102 knots. You could hear and feel the Red Shed shake, which provided some real perspective on how hard it must have been for the early explorers. Watching the sea ice form and thicken so that we can now drive to islands around station and visit the emperor penguin colonies. The first time seeing the emperor penguins was amazing, as they came over to us, as curious about us as we are of them. We laughed as they slipped and fell on the ice. It wasn’t just us that this happened to, but the locals as well!
Having our Midwinter party, with amazing food and all the gifts that had been made or designed and bought back in Hobart. Having our Midwinter swim with the added guest of a weddell seal. They are definitely better suited to the Southern Ocean waters than what we are. The auroras that dance in the skies at night are always amazing spectacles to watch, even if you need to wear enough layers to become the Michelin man to venture outside on those windy Mawson nights. Having the sun disappear below the horizon and now only just returning, with its long sunrise and sunsets that paint the horizon, still breathtaking to view.
As we continue our journey as 79th Mawson expeditioners, the stories and experiences that Antarctica will give to us all will be unique and ones that will be spoken about with reverence and enthusiasm to all and anyone who wants to listen.
James Herman, Carpenter.
