02/04/2005 - Australia's
season in Antarctica has wrapped up with the
return to Hobart this morning of the research
and resupply ship Aurora Australis.
Director of the Australian Antarctic Division
Dr Tony Press said that a significant milestone
had been reached during the 2004/05 season
with the introduction of two specially-dedicated
aircraft to support Australia's science program
in Antarctica.
"They proved to be a more efficient
way of moving personnel and equipment between
stations because of their greater range and
payload compared with aircraft used in the
past," Dr Press said.
The Australian Antarctic Division's final
voyage saw the successful resupply of Mawson
station where unusually thick sea ice previously
prevented an earlier trip in February by another
ship taking supplies to expeditioners.
However, the ice cleared sufficiently for
Aurora Australis to sail unimpeded into Mawson's
Horseshoe Harbour three weeks ago.
"And while the wait for fresh food,
domestic products, fuel for vehicles and other
station needs, spare parts for machinery,
personal effects and mail from family and
friends was a little longer than expected,
expeditioners are now well-provisioned for
the year ahead," Dr Press said.
Aurora Australis also collected summer personnel
from Casey station and resupplied Macquarie
Station at the same time delivering personnel
for the coming year and bringing home those
who have spent the past 12 months there.
Also returning are three Antarctic Fellows
who have spent the past six weeks experiencing
Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that will
be reflected in their various projects.
Margot Foster, Executive Producer of the
ABC's Bush Telegraph radio program has been
collecting the sounds of Antarctica for a
series of specialised projects including a
soundscape for the Macquarie Island house
at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and
a radio documentary.
Frances Evans, a music teacher and composer
from Geelong Grammar School who plays a range
of string and keyboard instruments, plans
to compose new music inspired by the sounds
of Antarctica.
Alison Lester, a teacher and children's author/illustrator
with more than 25 published books, and will
produce a book on Antarctica and a travelling,
educative project for schools.
