For East Augusta resident Peter Davy, a chill wind off the Southern Ocean is just a taste of his working life at Casey Station in Antarctica.
“This is my first time south,” Mr Davy said of the new experience, where he has learnt to deal with sub-zero temperatures and a raft of new skills associated with his trade as an electrician.
“The sea and landscapes, the penguins, the silence, the awe of the sheer size of nothing but ice, the fierceness of a blizzard... Iceberg cruises,” he said.
Mr Davy said his ‘normal’ employment saw him sailing around the world as a marine engineer, and that the dramatic change in location was a once in a lifetime chance.
The talented group of people you work, eat, socialise and live with, the food is second to none – except perhaps my wife’s and my mum’s – with meal times a highlight to look forward to.
“Even Slushy duty, which is working all day in the kitchen, is a day to learn new skills and wash dishes to your favourite tunes.”
Mr Davy will be at the research station, located a little over 3,500 kilometres from Augusta, until early March, and encouraged South West residents to consider applying for a role in the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) recruitment program.
“I have a wife and two young children at home, and I’d encourage anyone with a sense of adventure who is looking to work in a completely different environment to check out the AAD website, see if your skills match any of the many positions available and throw your hat in the ring.
“It’s what I did and here I am! The AAD supply you with all the relevant training, survival equipment and gear before you depart with ongoing training at the station.”
The AAD is searching for more than 150 people to fill positions in a range of expeditioner roles at its three Antarctic stations and on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.
The Division is recruiting for a range of roles including chefs, station leaders, tradespeople, engineers, IT and communications operators for short summer stints of four months and up to 18 months over winter.
Human Resources Manager, Andrew Groom, said it’s an incredible opportunity to live and work in one of the remotest places on the planet.
The recruitment round for the 2018-19 season is open until 24 January 2018. More information can be found at www.jobs.antarctica.gov.au