Oral History Interview – Noel Cooper

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Noel Cooper interviewed by Ian Toohill
Compiled and edited by Alan Ryan

 Audio interview with Noel Cooper conducted by Ian Toohill 27 Oct 2025

The latest instalment in our “Oral Histories” series.  Ian Toohill interviewed Noel Cooper on 27 October 2025.

In December 1955, when Noel was just 23 years of age and a DUKW mechanic with RAEME (Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) he was seconded to ANARE to sail aboard Kista Dan on the 1956 relief voyages to Macquarie Island and Mawson Station. It was on this Mawson relief voyage that Noel became aware of the situation at Mawson station, whereby the station was short of a diesel mechanic for the ensuing year. He made an approach to the Expedition Leader (PG Law) requesting he be considered to fill this position, which resulted in him being seconded from the Army to the Department of External Affairs to spend 1956 at Mawson as a diesel mechanic.

Noel’s Antarctic adventure commenced when the Kista Dan sailed from South Wharf in December 1955 to Macquarie Island, returning on 22 December 1955. Then on 27 December Kista Dan sailed south to Mawson station via Lewis Island – Wilkes Land. Whilst being employed as a diesel mechanic, he became involved in mapping and geological observations in Masson and Davis Ranges, and a field trip to Jelbart Glacier. He participated in numerous visits to inland and remote coastal weather stations, including airplane flights in support of field trips and aerial photography. Noel’s year at Mawson came to an end when he sailed once again on Kista Dan, firstly to participate in the establishment of the new ANARE Davis station, before arriving back in Melbourne in March 1957.

Noel was awarded the Polar Medal by Queen Elizabeth II, with this award being presented by Sir Dallas Brookes, Governor of Victoria, at Government House Melbourne on 23 September 1958. Noel has a mountain named for him – Mount Cooper in the Prince Charles Mountains.

 

See other Audio Interviews with ANARE Expeditioners.