The Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911-1914 - History and Conservation

Dr Ian Godfrey will present an illustrated talk about the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) led by Dr (later Sir) Douglas Mawson. He will discuss the work carried out at the three bases established by the AAE at Macquarie Island, Cape Denison and on the Shackleton Ice Shelf, highlighting their achievements, the dangers, the tragedies and the characters of the 26 individuals who accompanied Mawson on this expedition. Their amazing stories will be told along with a discussion of the conservation issues and work undertaken at the Cape Denison site to preserve the physical legacy of the AAE.

Ian will provide insights into living and working at the windiest place on earth at sea level and of the contrasts between the challenges faced by current expeditioners and the extreme deprivation and hardships endured by those who ventured south 114 years ago.

Bookings are essential for this free event. Light refreshments will be available. We suggest you bring your own keep-cup or mug for tea, coffee or water.

Please advise if you have any access requirements.

Please remember to cancel your booking via Humanitix or by contacting the libraries if you are unable to attend so the ticket may be released for someone else to enjoy.

About Dr Ian Godfrey: Dr Ian Godfrey is an organic chemist who worked as a teacher and lecturer until commencing work in 1987 in the Department of Materials Conservation of the Western Australian Museum. He has worked in the Antarctic on 20 occasions since he first travelled to Davis Station in 1993. Ian’s initial Antarctic work involved using the dry Antarctic environment to naturally freeze-dry waterlogged archaeological timbers and the interiors of historic buildings at Davis Station and at the historic Wilkes Station respectively. In 2001 Ian became part of the Mawson’s Huts Foundation (MHF) expedition team and has been on eight expeditions to Cape Denison, the last in the summer of 2024/25.

He has been the expedition Field Leader on four occasions and is a key conservation consultant for the MHF, focussing on monitoring the stability and condition of the buildings at Cape Denison, their internal environments and the condition and conservation of associated artefacts. He was employed as a historian/field guide by Intrepid Travel, operating on board the Ocean Endeavour in the Antarctic peninsula, for 3 voyages in the 2021/22 summer. He will be travelling to Mawson’s Huts for a short 3 day visit this coming summer to monitor the condition of the huts and their interiors in preparation for a full MHF expedition in 2026/27.