Heron Island Station Manager Dr Stuart Kininmonth is trading in his snorkel for snow boots, as he temporarily takes up the highly coveted position of Winter Station Leader at Scott Base in Antarctica this January.
Dr Kininmonth will be braving the cold to keep the famed station operating, conduct routine maintenance, collect meteorological data, and ensure the science facilities are ready for summer.
It’s the first time he’ll have ventured to Antarctica, but he’ll have plenty of time to experience it, spending eight months on the continent in the toughest time of year.
“It’s pretty thrilling to think about the extreme remoteness and contrast that Antarctica offers compared to the rest of the world,” he said.
“This cold icy continent is very difficult to experience especially over winter.
“I’ll definitely miss the trees and forests of Heron Island and the marine wildlife, but I hope to experience new wildlife, like penguins and seals, and maybe even killer whales.
“And I’m certainly looking forward to my first blizzard and Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.”
Stuart believes that his time at UQ’s tropical island research station was the perfect preparation in many respects for his new posting.
“The primary attribute that my new employer – Antarctica New Zealand – were seeking is the capacity to develop and maintain small teams in remote and challenging environments,” he said.
“The University of Queensland’s research station is identical in size to the Scott Base – 156 beds – and, although the environmental conditions are vastly different, the role of a close working team living in a small community are the same.
“There are also many aspects of the role, such as safety awareness and event planning, that made it a great fit.”
Dr Kininmonth is extremely grateful for the support that UQ has provided for engaging in this experience.
“UQ has been incredibly supportive of me taking the leap on this amazing opportunity,” he said.
“Already my training with the Antarctica New Zealand has stimulated many reflections on Heron Island operations and I’m sure the same will be in reverse.
“Antarctica is presently changing rapidly from climate change and this opportunity to work on the continent for eight months is a small contribution to our scientific understanding.”
More information about the Scott Base, including a live webcam of the base, can be found on the Antarctica New Zealand website.
