MHF January 25th, 2010
Pauline Askin is Irish by birth and has lived in Sydney, Australia for the past 20 years. She carries both passports proudly.
When she is not working at Reuters, she is a keen traveller preferring more intrepid destinations to relaxing under ‘five star’ properties. She enjoys running, swimming, cycling, kayaking and bushwalking and in general making use of the moderate seasonal changes in New South Wales that allow outdoor activities all year round.
Metals Conservator and part time Television cameraman /Sound Man and interviewer (helping Reuters in Antarctica), Peter Maxwell, talks to Pauline Askin about her role on the Mawson’s Huts Expedition 2009/10
Q. What has been your role here at Cape Denison?
A. I’m here in a multi media capacity for Reuters international news agency. This involves filing stories, blogs, shooting & filing television material and stills pictures for our domestic and international clients.
Q. I believe this has been your first trip on the ice, how challenging has this been for you?
A. Prior to travelling I had read a fair bit about Cape Denison and Antarctica, so I tried to prepare myself for the worst case scenario, i.e. Sir Douglas Mawson’s ‘Home of the Blizzard’ sort of existence. Certainly there were days that were challenging but the beauty of the landscape and the privilege of living here dissolved any temporary discomfort of cracked skin around your fingernails, fingers that felt like iceblocks or wet feet.
On the work front I faced major technical challenges trying to file television material via satellite from such a remote location. However, the experiences both weather and work wise has taught me a lot about self endurance and determination and as a result, I’m pleased to say it’s been easier than I expected and a lot of fun.
Q. Does the fun come from living in a tent or living with strangers?
A. I suppose a combination of both. Depending how you look at it, you could describe living in a tent as challenging or fun. Getting ready to get into my sleeping bag or ready to leave the tent was always amusing to me as there were so many layers of clothing to put on wherever you were going! Trying to read while staying warm in the sleeping bag was funny to me as it’s not easy to turn the pages of a book wearing gloves.
Living in a close environment with nine people who I had only met briefly in Tasmania was an interesting and fun experience. There was a fascinating mixture of personalities living and working in a very small space, which made it amusing and entertaining. I guess the funniest times were mainly at meal times and being a student at one of Dr. Peter Morse’s lectures on how to use the toilet and/or shower – very entertaining indeed which brought lots of laughter.
Q. Your tent was out on a flat ridge away from our base the Sorensen; did you ever have any visitors?
A. I think the entire Adelie penguin colony living metres away came by to visit me early in the morning and often through the night. They didn’t come in to my tent (thank God) but they certainly had no issues coming right up outside my tent chatting loudly. If the Katabatic wind battering the side of my tent didn’t wake me my penguin visitors did.
Q. When you leave on assignment, you’ve got a camera slung over your shoulder and sometimes a large video camera. I presume these are the tools of your trade. Have they been an essential part of your work here?
A. I don’t leave home without my (stills) camera as there are always great opportunities to get pictures here – the wildlife and icy landscape is amazing.
I’ve filed television footage with interviews on reaction to the Climate Change Conference in mid December, exclusive interviews with Captain Paul Watson from the Sea Shepherd when he and the crew of the Steve Irwin popped in to Cape Denison, Christmas day and New Year’s Eve celebrations with the Mawson’s Huts Foundation Expedition here, and the ‘air tractor parts’ find. I have attempted to do a couple of stand up pieces for the financial television side of the business. So that meant I had the TV camera out with me a lot of the time getting interviews and additional scenic material (B role). I have plenty of vision to bring back for archival purposes as prior to my visit we were short of Antarctic material.
Q.You’ve obviously had some wonderful highlights on this trip, were there any low times?
A. I’m generally a very positive person and to add to that I was so excited about this trip that adrenalin has probably kept me on a high for a long time. I’m sporting a lot of bruises and a few cuts from falling over rocks or slipping on the ice. In those situations I laughed about it. Mind you it could have been the relief of saving my cameras every single time! (Laughter is good medicine).
In terms of ‘lows’ I’m not sure. As I said earlier I expected it to be a much harsher environment and whilst it’s had it’s challenges, the environment nor the people have been as difficult as I expected – so that’s a good thing!
There were certainly times when we were stuck indoors due to bad weather that I found I needed space and a bit of solitude but as I was fortunate enough to have a tent I could go there whenever I wanted – I wouldn’t describe that as a low time though. We’re only days away from leaving Cape Denison and I think we are all ready to go. If I were told we have to stay a few weeks more, then yes I might hit a low then. But I’m confident the ‘Luck of the Irish’ will prevail and I’ll leave Cape Denison with very special memories of a very special place!
Q. As a multimedia journalist you had a very large role to fill, do you think you’ve achieved that?
A. Certainly! I filed many stories, blogged regularly; (I mentioned the TV interviews earlier) and matched pictures with blogs and stories. So yes I think I have filed more than was probably expected of me. So I’m leaving East Antarctica having succeeded against the odds and feeling I’ve achieved everything I set out to achieve and more.
Q. And finally…when you get back to your office in Sydney, do you think there will be moments where you’ll suddenly laugh about different experiences you’ve had on the ice?
A. I guess so. At this point I’m ready to go back to normality. But after a week back in my usual role as Editorial Office Manager this experience will all seem like a dream and I have no doubt there’ll be times when I won’t be able to explain to people why I’m grinning or laughing. Then again they’re used to me being a ‘happy go lucky’ person around the office so I don’t expect anyone would notice any unusual behaviour – well not unless I brushed my teeth at the kitchen sink and looked for the slops bucket to spit into – now there’s a funny thought Peter!!!!
