Robert “Cloughy” Clough

We had a wonderful year at Macquarie Island in 1999. Robert Clough or Cloughy as he was affectionately known was our Met Observer and an integral part of that year being a success. Cloughy was our oldest expeditioner but only in age, not in actions or heart. He was always one of the first to pitch in and help with community activities and he enjoyed a catch up around the bar with others to wind down from the day.

Cloughy had a lovely way of looking at the world, it was a little left of centre but that is what made him so endearing and liked by all. He fitted in with young and old, tradies, scientists and volunteers alike. He made people smile.

Once walking down the island with Chris Murphy our station electrician they missed the turn off to Tiobunga the plateau field hut (an easy thing to do). He and Chris set up to bivvy for the night when it got late and Cloughy took it all in his stride. A couple of us headed out after the evening schedule call from a nearby hut to find them and came across a cold but exuberant Cloughy and Chris. Cloughy was more worried about being in trouble than sleeping out for the night, that’s the sort of guy he was. Of course he wasn’t in trouble, they had done everything right and it was just a relief for all that we got to spend a squeezy but warm night with all four of us sleeping in the apple hut.

We would all like to thank Cloughy’s wife Linda for giving us the opportunity to share our year at Macquarie Island in 1999 with him. When the news of Cloughy passing was forwarded onto the 1999 Macca Winterers there was great dismay and sadness. We were all looking forward to catching up with him at our 20 year mid winter reunion in Hobart this year. Our lives are all that little less bright without Cloughy being in it, he will be deeply missed.

– Karen Kristensen (Macquarie Island, 1999)