Macquarie Island Adventure: More Preparation.....

I joined the Bureau of Meteorology as an observer in 1982 and worked in that job until 1994, when I qualified to attend the Meteorologist (Post grad) course in 1996. Since then I have worked as a forecaster in mainly in Darwin and Hobart.

Because my Observer qualifications is somewhat dated I had to attend a intensive observer tarining course in Melbourne between late July and mid September. Participating on the course with me were Nick and Aaron, who have been contracted by the Bureau as Met Technicians at Davis and Macquarie Island. Their job is to maintain and service the Bureau's equipment at the bases as well as assist with the observation program.

Abrar, Me, Nick, Andrew (trainer) and Aaron in a training session on clouds

Also on the training course was Abrar, from Fiji via New Zealand. He was to be my fellow observer on Macca, but due to a staff shortage he was assigned to go to Casey. He is the first Fiji born person to go to Antarctica and appeared in this Fiji Times article.

The course was intensive and a lot of fun. There are many aspects to observing the weather. We learned about the 100 different cloud types and also most of the 100 different weather types.

Aaron, Nick and Paul (trainer) observing cloud types

We also trained in Hydrogen safety, including how to fill a weather balloon and launch it with a 'radiosonde' (small payload that transmits information on wind speed and direction, temperature, moisture content and pressure as it ascends into the atmosphere).

Preparing a ballon for release

Releasing a weather ballon at the Bureau's training facility

You can see in the above pictures that everyone is wearing personal protective gear. This is because Hydrogen gas is highly flammable and can explode if mixed with air.

This day we experienced hail, thunder & lightning and heavy rain then this beautiful double rainbow

Besides training there was also time for fun and games. One can't be in Melbourne during the football season and not go to a game. We went to several games including two of the best games of the year. It was the round 19 clash between Hawthorn and Geelong at the MCG. In front of over 65,000 people Geelong kicked 9 goals to Hawthorn's 2 in the first quarter. It seemed that Geelong were going to thrash the Hawks. The Hawks came back and were in front by 4 points with seconds to go in the match. Then Tom Hawkins marked the ball 55 metres out from goal as the final siren sounded. He kicked a goal and Geelong stole the game by 2 points (118 to 116)

Nick, Abrar and Aaron at the Hawks vs Cats game at the MCG

Another highlight of being in Melbourne was being able to see my daughter Madeleine perform a couple of times in a band called Winter York. They were fabulous. You can download some of there music off the linked site.

Winter York at the Northcote Social Club

During the winter the Antarctic bases, including Macquarie Island are manned by only a small population. At Macquarie Island there will be around 26 people including Parks and Wildlife (Tas) personnel, several hunters (associated with the pest eradication program), a Station leader, 3 Met staff, a chef, plant operator, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, plumber, field training officer (FTO), communications tech and a doctor.

The doctor receives extra training in a wide variety of medical fields including surgery and basic dentistry. The doctor on the Antarctic bases (including Macca) has to provide medical, surgical, dental and sometimes psychological support the most isolated group of people on the planet.

As every expeditioner has to pass a stringent medical before departure, the doctor usually only has to deal with minor health problems. However, medical emergencies still do occur and the doctor is responsible for dealing with these. See 'Working as an Antarctic Medical Practioner'

Fortunately he will have help. There will be around the clock support from 3 full-time medical practitioners based at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) headquarters at Kingston (Tasmania).

Also at every base are 4 expeditioners that have had 2 weeks of training at the Royal Hobart Hospital. These are volunteer positions. I participated in this amazing course in October/November.

We learned about how use and maintain medical equipment that is on each station in the medical suite. We also trained in how to apply and maintain a sterile environment during surgery or a medical procedure. Two of the team were assigned to help with anaesthetics. The other two (including myself) were assigned to be scrub/scout nurse assistants.

We had numerous class sessions on procedures in surgery and familiarisation of equipment used in the medical suite. Most of the training involved being in the surgical theatres at the Royal, observing and sometimes assisting the surgeon and other staff (with professional nurses guiding us). I felt very privileged to be able to take part in this course.