Antarctic Society volunteers head to Scott Base

11 December 2015

Antarctic Society volunteers head to Scott Base

Today, two extremely passionate members of the Antarctic Society boarded a United States Airforce LC-130 bound for Antarctica as volunteer support to Scott Base, home of New Zealand’s Antarctic operations since 1957.

Antarctica New Zealand has worked in collaboration with the New Zealand Antarctic Society for more than eight years, enabling many great names in the Antarctic community to have their first experience of the Ice.

“Our relationship with the New Zealand Antarctic Society has always been strong and this collaboration further benefits both organisations,” says Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Beggs. “This opportunity is one way we can support the Antarctic Society and the important outreach work they undertake.”

Don Taylor and Grant Hunter will gain a first-hand experience of how the Base is run, while helping out with maintenance over the next month.

Don Taylor is a Wellington-based Registered Architect. Prior to his studies in architecture, Don studied Earth Sciences at Waikato University. This exposed him to science research projects being undertaken in Antarctica and this has influenced his focus on sustainable design concepts.

Grant Hunter is a Christchurch-based scientist who spent many years supporting Landcare Research New Zealand. Grant has a strong connection to the frozen continent. His wife's grandfather sailed South from Lyttelton in Terra Nova on two of the three voyages making up Captain Scott's expedition, 1911-1913. As Air Traffic Communications Officer at Harewood Terminal, his father-in-law kept in touch with many of the earlier Deep Freeze flights and his son is currently a field training instructor at Scott Base.

Both Society members will return to New Zealand on 15 January 2016.

You can follow Don and Grant’s journey on Antarctica New Zealand socials media channels.

ENDS

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