Repstat Nears Completion

By Geoff Smith

Aurora June 1968

Readers will recall that in our last thrilling episode, the 1967 Repstat programme received a serious setback when sea-ice conditions prevented materials and tradesmen from being landed. This cargo was returned to Melbourne and remained there until the following summer.

It appeared, therefore, that the completion of the project would be delayed for a year. This was not acceptable, so it was decided to add the original 1967 programme to the 1968 one.

In order to accomplish this. A four-man construction team has been recruited as a wintering party at Repstat; some tradesmen from Wilkes party will also spend the whole year at Repstat. This gives Repstat a wintering party of seven men, namely:

Repstat Party:

Bob Nicholson : Carpenter and Leader.
Rod Mackenzie : Plumber.
Terry Kelly : Electrician.
Brian Rieusset : Radio Super. Tech.

Detached from Wilkes:

Peter Anderson : Carpenter.
Don Loades : Plumber.
Bob Allen : Electrician.

These people are almost entirely disassociated from Wilkes and are self-supporting. Coolie labour in the form of met. Men, doctor, scientists and other members of the downtrodden peasantry, is drawn from Wilkes on a rostered system.

A summer party of seven tradesmen swelled the output for seven weeks and a great deal of work has been completed.

Both ships reached Repstat without much trouble and by the end of the summer session the situation was as follows:

All Repstat buildings completed, including the main row and various out-buildings.
80% of the connecting corridor completed.
Transmitter serial array erected. (This consists of a central 150ft mast, three stub masts, three dipole arrays and innumerable buys.)
Platforms and stairs erected.
Five fuel tanks (each 8,000 gallons) installed.
Three quarters of a mile of new roads constructed and existing roads improved.
Improvement of cooking, laundry and living facilities.
Installation of much plumbing, electrical, radio and fire-fighting equipment.

Current reports from Repstat indicate that the corridor is now completed and a lot more plumbing, radio and electrical services have been installed.

Some noteworthy tasks have been performed during this period. For instance, after the floors of all the remaining buildings in the main row were assembled, six buildings were completed in two days. Three 8,000 gallon fuel tanks positioned, leveled and concreted-in in two days. A long run of 3 feet deep cable and pipe trenches blasted and dug. The party performing this task were known as the Poor Blighters in the Trenches and marched to work singing "Mademoiselle from Armentieres".

The weather was the usual mixture of screaming wind, wet snow and brilliant sunshine. The party was commanded for the first three weeks by Alan Brown and yours truly thereafter. Doug Twigg was also a member of the party, concerned principally with the radio work.

All members took turns at cooking and some remarkable menus were produced. I have vivid recollections of a crisis developing which was not unconnected with my cooking salmon patties. A plan by Alan Brown's also backfired on one occasion when, deceived by the still conditions, he commenced cooking a barbecue tea to be eaten outside in the evening sunshine. It looked very dramatic to see Alan alternating between the outside fire and the mess as he tore through the unpredicted, screaming blizzard to bring the results of his labours to the hungry multitude within, who were clamoring for their victuals.

A red letter day occurred when the somewhat primitive honey-bucket latrine facilities were replaced by the new incinerator units. These are a more sophisticated version of the old Mawson type "flaming furies". The installation of these and their trial burning involved yours truly to such an extent that the name "Dan Dan" was bestowed.

Rod Mackenzie who has done a short bread-baking course is the Repstat baker. Dressed in foul, greasy plumber's overalls he produced delicious bread and rolls. He claims that it is a good opportunity for cleaning his hands.

The progress to date has been so satisfactory that it is planned to fully occupy the station next changeover. 1968, therefore, should be the last year of ANARE's occupation of Wilkes.

- Geoff Smith