AusTRALIAN MAGAZINE ISSUE 21 2011 7317 AusTRALIAN ANTARCTIC ISSUE 2011 MAGAZINE 21 The Australian Antarctic Division, a division of the Department for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, leads Australia’s CONTENTS Antarctic program and seeks to advance Australia’s Antarctic interests in pursuit of its vision of having New Director looks forward to Antarctic future 1 ‘Antarctica valued, protected and understood’. It does CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS this by managing Australian government activity in Antarctica, providing transport and logistic support to A centenary of science 4 Australia’s Antarctic research program, maintaining four Spinning an icy yarn in Antarctica 6 permanent Australian research stations, and conducting scientific research programs both on land and in the Cape Denison Post Office established 7 Southern Ocean. ANTARCTIC SCIENCE Australia’s four Antarctic goals are: • To maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and Oceans need big animals 8 enhance Australia’s influence in it; Journal focuses on Antarctic sea ice research 12 • To protect the Antarctic environment; Model simulations investigate Totten thinning 14 • To understand the role of Antarctica in the Australian Antarctic Science Season 2011–12 16 global climate system; and • To undertake scientific work of practical, MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH economic and national significance. Surveying dugong responses to extreme weather events 18 Australian Antarctic Magazine seeks to inform the Conserving Thailand ’s cetaceans 19 Australian and international Antarctic community about the activities of the Australian Antarctic program. Dolphins under threat 20 Opinions expressed in Australian Antarctic Magazine do Surveying cetaceans in Palau 21 not necessarily represent the position of the Australian Government. SUBANTARCTIC FORUM Australian Antarctic Magazine is produced twice a year Subantarctic islands in the spotlight 22 (June and December). All text and images published Getting around – plant dispersal in the subantarctic 23 in the magazine are copyright of the Commonwealth of Australia, unless otherwise stated. Editorial Subantarctic bull kelp suggests ice age was icier 24 enquiries, including requests to reproduce material or Preventing a marine invasion in the subantarctic 25 contributions, should be addressed to: PEOPLE The Editor Australian Antarctic Magazine Career in krill offers scientific thrills 26 Australian Antarctic Division Antarctic Medal awards 28 203 Channel Highway Kingston, 7050 Icy resting place for Australian Antarctic pioneer 29 Tasmania, Australia. Environmental scientist receives inaugural Phillip Law medal 29 Australian Antarctic Division Telephone: (03) 6232 3209 HISTORY (International 61 3 6232 3209) Biscoe Hut: Preserving Australia’s Antarctic heritage 30 email: [email protected] VALE Dr Jon Stephenson, 1930–2011 32 Facsimile: (03) 6232 3288 (International 61 3 6232 3288) OPERATIONS Editor: Wendy Pyper Engineering award for Davis station 34 Production: Sally Chambers, Jessica Fitzpatrick, Glenn Jacobson. IN BRIEF 35 Graphic Design: Giraffe Visual Communication Management Pty Ltd FREEZE FRAME 37 ISSN 1445-1735 (print version) Australian Antarctic Magazine is printed on Monza satin recycled paper; a 50% post-consumer waste and 50% FSC certified fibre stock. Australian Antarctic Magazine can be viewed online: www.antarctica.gov.au/magazine ABOUT THE COVER Senior Meteorology Observer Jenny Feast took this photo at the end of a clear, still October day, after exploring Breid Basin and Long and Tryne fjords, near Davis. Australian Government Jenny works as a weather observer for the Bureau of Meteorology in Western Department of Sustainability, Environment, Australia and this is her first trip to Antarctica. The photo was taken on a Canon 5D Water, Population and Communities Mark II with a Canon EF 24-105 lens at 35mm, ISO 100, f/4.0 , shutter 1/60sec. Australian Antarctic Division ELL H mitc ANE H S AAD9614rj DIRECTOR'S PROFILE 1 NEW DIRECTOR LOOKS FORWARD TO ANTARCTIC FUTURE ING K EN B 2 Just as heroic era explorer and as exploration. So I learnt about the history of scientist Douglas Mawson looked science and human habitation in Antarctica,’ Dr Fleming says. to the future of Australia in ‘I also learnt the value of looking to the future, Antarctica 100 years ago, so too is rather than just memorialising the past, and the new Australian Antarctic Division importance of scientific inquiry and keeping an open mind.’ Director Dr Tony Fleming. Subsequently, Dr Fleming’s 34-year career His arrival at the Antarctic Division coincides has seen him tackle issues ranging from with the centenary of Mawson’s Australasian land conservation, environmental policy and Antarctic Expedition – a time of personal legislation, urban planning, national park reflection for Dr Fleming, whose family tree management, and the provision of essential BENNETT includes three figures in Antarctic history. services to small communities. RICHARD Dr Fleming credits his mother – the daughter of While his work has primarily focused on the big eminent Antarctic scientist Dr Raymond Priestley picture, he knows the value of ‘bread and butter’ 1. Dr Tony Fleming in front of Mt Erebus (and niece of Charles ‘Silas’ Wright and Thomas activities essential to the delivery of strategic on Ross Island, during his trip to Griffith Taylor; all of whom were part of Scott’s end products. And he’s driven by a passion Antarctica earlier this year. Terra Nova Expedition) – as a major influence on for protecting the environment, and human 2. New Australian Antarctic Division his interest in the science of the natural world. interaction with the environment. Director, Dr Tony Fleming. ‘My mother made sure I understood the During his first year at the University of New Antarctic stories. Grandad was a scientist and England in Armidale (NSW), where he studied Scott’s expedition was about science as well botany and plant ecology, Dr Fleming was ISSUE 21 2011 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE 1 DIRECTOR'S PROFILE 3 4 LEMING LEMING Y F Y F ON ON T T 3. Adélie penguins nest in the remains of the Northern Party’s hut drawn to conservation activities that took ‘Administering a national park is not just about on Cape Adare. him into the bush on most weekends. Here he setting policy, but ensuring that on a day-to-day became interested in the patterns and processes basis the organisation runs effectively and that of ecological communities. He also indulged it can deliver the services it needs to individual 6 his enthusiasm for white-water kayaking and parks and their communities,’ Dr Fleming says. nature photography. ‘For example, the Government had responsibility ‘In my first year of uni I aimed to just get passes for municipal services in Perisher ski village, in my subjects, so that I could get into the bush so I got some experience in managing core as much as possible. That’s where my future infrastructure in an alpine community. While crystallised for me,’ Dr Fleming says. Perisher is a very different community to that in After completing a PhD in biology, he was Antarctica, some of the issues are similar.’ offered a position in Environment Minister, One experience Dr Fleming will no doubt draw Senator Graham Richardson’s office. Over the upon as he takes the Antarctic Division’s reins next six years he worked at Parliament House, is his former chairmanship of the Lord Howe directly contributing to Federal Government Island Board of Management. This tiny island decisions on the environment. He was also in the Pacific Ocean is inscribed on the World involved in initiatives that influenced government Heritage list for the global significance of its environmental policy, including the National natural beauty and heritage. Reserve System and State of the Environment ‘Lord Howe is a fascinating example of an reporting. Later, he coordinated the Department active and vibrant community in one of the 4. Dr Raymond Priestley’s section of of the Environment’s input into legislative reforms most incredible natural places,’ Dr Fleming says. Shackleton’s Cape Royds hut. that led to the Environment Protection and ‘The Board had to focus on big policy 5. Dr Fleming produced a book of his Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act, 1999). pictures, but also the delivery of essential photos taken during his trip to the Ross Sea, which reflects his love In 1998 Dr Fleming joined the NSW National services. So we’d spend some time talking of the natural world. Among the Parks and Wildlife Service, initially as Director about World Heritage values and then we’d photos was this image of Weddell of the southern region, but later as Head of switch the conversation to power generation seals, an Antarctic minke whale (in the organisation. Here he oversaw the growth or sewage treatment. the middle distance) and Mount Erebus. and management of the NSW National Park ‘I learnt how a small community operates 6. Portrait of Tony Fleming’s system, cultural heritage protection, wildlife and observed the strength of a community grandfather, Sir Raymond Priestley. conservation and marine park management, in defending the interests of the island and among other things. each other.’ 2 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 21 2011 DIRECTOR'S PROFILE 5 LEMING Y F ON T His most recent experience as National to continue to deliver those services in 20 years When the Northern Party eventually learnt of Operations Manager with the Australian Wildlife time. Achieving a balance between investment Scott’s fate, Dr Priestley