Cairns people are known to complain when our winter nights drop below 20 degrees, but one man has given up the tropics for one of the coldest places on Earth.
Jamie Lowe, a Kewarra Beach local and Systems Manager at Cairns Aquarium, has put his skills to use in the infrastructure team at Davis Station.
The base is the most southerly Antarctic station of the four managed by Australian officials, more than 7,300 kilometres south-west of Cairns.
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Jamie told Tropic Now it’s his second expedition to Antarctica.
“The first was in 2011-12 when I wintered at Casey Station – that is, basically, December to December,” he said.
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“[My team is] responsible for maintaining all the buildings and plumbing on the station, and at the remote science huts.
“Our day here usually consists of the trade groups having short toolbox chats to plan the day’s work, all of which is recorded in a computer maintenance program.”
Jamie is part of the 74th ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions) team to land on Davis Station.
The group contributes to scientific research of the continent and work with national and international research institutions, as well as other countries' Antarctic programs.
The 25 expedition members undertook two weeks’ quarantine prior to boarding a ship from Hobart and have been COVID free since their arrival in February.
“On the weekends, we are sometimes able to explore the surrounding hills and islands, many of which are populated by spectacular wildlife such as elephant seals, Adélie and emperor penguins, giant petrels and albatross," he said.
“These are due to return once the sea ice starts to melt and the ocean thaws. This can be as late as March here.
“At night, we are often gifted with some of the most spectacular Auroras that Antarctica has to offer, as well as an unprecedented view of the heavens when the moon is asleep!
“It is a spectacular continent that deserves our respect and protection and I’m very proud to be involved in that.”
Jamie is due to return to Cairns and his role at the Aquarium next year.
You can follow the 74th ANARE’s adventures at Davis Station here.
