ANARE Club Message to Macquarie Island Expeditioners 2026
To the expeditioners of Macquarie Island,
Members of the ANARE Club send you our warmest good wishes and support as you prepare to leave Macquarie Island earlier than expected. We recognise that this is not how you envisaged your season ending. In April you set out with plans, ambitions and a commitment to contribute to one of Australia’s most remarkable stations. Since then, you have lived and worked in a place few people will ever experience, shared the challenges and rewards of station life, and become part of the long and proud history of Macquarie Island.
As events unfold around you, there is a risk that the circumstances of your departure may overshadow everything that came before it. We hope they do not.
By the time you return home, you will have spent many months serving on the island, carrying out important work, supporting one another, and contributing to Australia’s ongoing presence in the Southern Ocean. You will have accumulated experiences, friendships and memories that will remain with you for a lifetime. Those achievements deserve to be recognised and celebrated.
The value of an expedition is not measured solely by whether every project reaches its intended conclusion or whether every plan unfolds as expected. Success is found in commitment, professionalism, adaptability, teamwork and service. In all these respects, you have much to be proud of.
Those who have gone south before you understand the strong connection that develops with a station, its people and its surroundings. We know that leaving before you are ready can bring a sense of unfinished business. Yet we also know that no early departure can diminish what you have contributed or what you have gained from your time there.
You are now part of a community that extends well beyond a single season. The friendships, shared experiences and sense of belonging that come with being an expeditioner endure long after the journey home. Macquarie Island will remain part of your lives, and your place in its story is assured.
In years to come, we hope you will look back not on an early departure, but on a remarkable winter amongst an extraordinary community in one of the world’s most special places. That reflection resonates among all of us as the ‘Spirit of ANARE’. May the achievements of your season be remembered first and foremost and may the friendships and memories it created stay with you always.
With friendship, respect and best wishes,
Rebecca Jeffcoat
President, ANARE Club Inc.
On behalf the National Council and Members of the ANARE Club
Newsletter – October 2026
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Brisbane Midwinter Dinner 2020
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have had to cancel our Mid-Winter dinner this year. We trust everyone is safe and we’ll see you next year.
- Date: Cancelled
- Price: $95
- Venue: Tattersall’s Club, 215 Queen Street, Brisbane
Program:
- 6:00 PM AGM
- 6:30 PM Pre-Dinner Drinks
- 7:00 PM Dinner
Mail:
- ANARE Club (Qld), PO Box 80 Tewantin QLD 4565
Guest Speakers:
- Dean Campbell: National Council Representative
- Victor Watt: ANARE Club Berth Representative recently returned from RT to Casey
Reunions:
- Mawson 1970 (50 Years)
- Casey 1980 (40 Years)
Car Parking
Parking is available at the Queens Plaza Car Park, where the entry is off Edward St (a one-way street). Parking is also available at the Winter Garden Car Park, off Elizabeth St, next to the Hilton Brisbane (also a one-way street). Regarding both car parks, take your car park entry ticket and present it to the Concierge in reception at Tattersall’s for validation. This will give you a discount when departing the car park.
Members in North Queensland should contact:
- Andrew Hucker
- 2 Musa Court, Annandale, Townsville, Queensland 4814
- Phone number
- Andrew
Recent News
ANARE Club Phil Law Medal 2020 Recipient – Sydney (Syd) Lorrimar Kirkby
In recognition of his outstanding Contribution to Antarctic affairs and the Antarctic Community, particularly for his Leadership and Achievement in the field of Exploration Surveying and Mapping of Australian Antarctic Territory.
To be presented at the AGM
Brisbane 15 August 2020
Antarctic Explorer, Syd Kirkby, Receives Queens Birthday Honours
Veteran Antarctic explorer and surveyor, and Queensland resident, Syd Kirkby, has been honoured with an Order of Australia medal in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours. The award is in recognition of his service particularly to Antarctic surveying, mapping, and polar exploration.
The ANARE Club Queensland congratulates Syd for this well-deserved recognition. His outstanding achievements are an inspiration to all. (19/8/18)
ANARE Club Spring Gathering 2018 at Noosaville QLD
We regret to advise that there will be no Queensland ANARE Club Spring Gathering organised for September 2018. Watch this space for a possible Spring Gathering next year.
Queensland ANARE Club Newsletter – May 2018
BRISBANE MIDWINTER DINNER 2017. Last year’s Midwinter Dinner was very successful with the attendance by some of our more senior members of ANARE. At 97 years old John Russell attended, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Keith Morgan. John first wintered at Macquarie Island in 1949 and continued with Heard Island 1952, Mawson 1954, and just to finish he spent a year with the Americans on the IGY (International Geophysical Year) in 1957. Also in attendance was Judith Burnett, wife of the late Hedley Burnett.
ANARE QLD SPRING BBQ 2017. David and Kathryn Carstens ran the regular Noosa River BBQ in September with a good roll up, including many interstate members to swell the numbers. Keen interest is always shown in the memorabilia on display, along with the many stories told each year.
70th HEARD ISLAND ANNIVERSARY. A very successful 70th Heard Island Anniversary Commemoration was held in Melbourne on 13th December 2017, attended by Trevor Luff, as well as our guests Sue Morgan and Judith Burnett. We could not persuade John Russell, who will be 98 on 20th June this year (2018) to make the journey to Melbourne. 120 people attended the celebrations.
BRISBANE MIDWINTER DINNER 2018. This year’s Midwinter Dinner is being held at Tattersall’s Club, 215 Queen St (Cnr Queen & Edward St), Brisbane City Mall. We are there as a guest of a Tattersall’s member, Mr Richard Unwin, who is also our Qld ANARE Club President. Please note, the entry is via the inside of Tattersall’s Arcade. Accommodation is also available at the club. Dress code is Jacket and tie.
Car Parking. Parking is available at the Queens Plaza Car Park, where the entry is off Edward St (one-way street). Parking is also available at The Winter Garden Car Park, off Elizabeth St next to the Hilton Brisbane, also a one-way street. Regarding both car parks, take your car park entry ticket and present it to the Concierge in reception at Tattersall’s for validation. This will give you a discount when departing the car park.
70th MACQUARIE ISLAND ANNIVERSARY. There will be another 70th milestone anniversary this year for Macquarie Island, which is being celebrated in Hobart on August 6th 2018. This event ties in with the ANARE AGM, along with the Australian Antarctic Festival, which runs from 2nd to 5th August. All are welcome to attend, and details can be found on the National ANARE Club website. Trevor Luff will be attending the festival, where he will also be working on the ANARE Club stand.
Brisbane Midwinter Dinner 2020 Is Cancelled. Keep up to date on the next years event.
