Guest Speakers:

 2/02/2026

GUEST SPEAKER - Trevor Hamley

An Australian Glaciologist’s extraordinary adventure in Antarctica with 8 Soviet Expeditioners

 In 1983 Australian Glaciologist Trevor Hamley and Soviet Traverse Leader Vladimir Papitashvili embarked on a 3,000 kilometre return over-snow traverse from Mirny to Dome C, near the South Geomagnetic Pole. In this memoir, Trevor reveals how fate propelled him towards this unique experience, including a flying visit to Vostok - the coldest and most remote place on Earth. 

At every turn, the Dome C traverse was beset by adversity yet achieved its scientific objectives.

 Mechanical and scientific equipment succumbed to the harsh Antarctic conditions: where average temperatures of -45 degrees centigrade plunged at times to -60. An appendicectomy was performed 1,000 kilometres from the safety of a permanent station, an unprecedented feat in the annals of Antarctic expeditions.

A prime mover was abandoned after catching fire. Each leg of the journey became an exhilarating episode. But the narrative does not merely recount logistics; it delves into the intricacies of challenging human experiences, Soviet culture, language and history, cross-cultural friendship, Glaciology and the profound issue of our time, Climate Change